This section contains the statutory basis for this part of the rules and provides the purpose for which this part is issued.

(a) Basis. The rules for the maritime services in this part are promulgated under the provisions of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, which vests authority in the Federal Communications Commission to regulate radio transmission and to issue licenses for radio stations. The rules in this part are in accordance wtih applicable statutes, international treaties, agreements and recommendations to which the United States is a party. The most significant of these documents are listed below with the short title appearing in parenthesis:

Communications Act of 1934, as amended—(Communications Act).Communications Satellite Act of 1962, as amended—(Communications Satellite Act).International Telecommunication Union Radio Regulations, in force for the United States—(Radio Regulations).Agreement Between the United States of America and Canada for the Promotion of Safety on the Great Lakes by Means of Radio, as amended, and the Technical Regulations annexed thereto—(Great Lakes Radio Agreement).International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended, and the Annex thereto—(Safety Convention).Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act—(Bridge-to-Bridge Act).

(b) Purpose. This part states the conditions under which radio may be licensed and used in the maritime services. These rules do not govern radio stations operated by agencies of the U.S. Government.

§ 80.2Other regulations that apply.

The Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard has promulgated regulations which affect radiotelecommunication equipment carriage and power source installation requirements for certain ships. Inquiries concerning applicable U.S. Coast Guard regulations are to addressed to the Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, Washington, DC 20593, or to the nearest District Headquarters Office of the U.S. Coast Guard.

§ 80.3Other applicable rule parts of this chapter.

Other FCC rule parts applicable to licensees in the maritime services include the following:

(a) Part 0. This part describes the Commission's organization and delegations of authority. Part 0 also lists available Commission publications, standards and procedures for access to Commission records and location on Commission monitoring stations.

(b) Part 1. This part includes rules of practice and procedure for license applications, adjudicatory proceedings, procedures for reconsideration and review of Commission actions; provisions concerning violation notices and forfeiture proceedings; and the environmental processing requirements that, if applicable, must be complied with prior to the initiation of construction. Subpart Q of Part 1 contains rules governing competitive bidding procedures for resolving mutually exclusive applications for certain initial licenses.

(c) Part 2. This part contains the Table of Frequency Allocations and special requirements in international regulations, recommendations, agreements, and treaties. This part also contain standards and procedures concerning marketing of radio frequency devices, and for obtaining equipment authorization.

(d) Part 13. This part contains information and rules for the licensing of commercial radio operators.

(e) Part 17. This part contains requirements for construction, marking and lighting of antenna towers.

(f) Part 20 of this chapter which governs commercial mobile radio services which include subpart J of this part (public coast stations).

(g) Part 21. This part contains rules concerning point-to-point microwave service authority relating to communication common carriers.

(h) Part 64. This part contains miscellaneous rules relating to communication common carriers.

(i) Part 68. This part contains technical standards for connection of terminal equipment to the telephone network.

(j) Part 87. This part contains rules for the aviation services. Some maritime frequencies are authorized for use by aircraft stations for safety and distress, public correpondence and for operational communications.

(k) Part 101. This part contains rules concerning the private microwave service relating to point-to-point communication requirements.

Alaska—public fixed station. A fixed station in Alaska which is open to public correspondence and is licensed by the Commission for radio communication with Alaska-Private fixed stations on paired channels.

Alaska—private fixed station. A fixed station in Alaska which is licensed by the Commission for radio communication within Alaska and with associated ship stations, on single frequency channels. Alaska-private fixed stations are also eligible to communicate with Alaska-public fixed stations on paired channels.

Associated ship unit. A portable VHF transmitter for use in the vicinity of the ship station with which it is associated.

Automated mutual-assistance vessel rescue system (AMVER). An international system, operated by the U.S. Coast Guard, which provides aid to the development and coordination of search and rescue (SAR) efforts. Data is made available to recognized SAR agencies or vessels of any nation for reasons related to marine safety.

Bridge-to-bridge station. A radio station located on a ship's navigational bridge or main control station operating on a specified frequency which is used only for navigational communications, in the 156-162 MHz band.

Cargo ship safety radio certificate. A certificate issued after a ship passes an inspection of the required radiotelegraph, radiotelephone or GMDSS radio installation. Issuance of this certificate indicates that the vessel complies with the Communications Act and the Safety Convention.

Cargo ship safety radiotelegraphy certificate. A certificate issued after a ship passes an inspection of a radiotelegraph installation. Issuance of this certificate indicates that the vessel complies with the Communications Act and the Safety Convention.

Cargo ship safety radiotelephony certificate. A certificate issued after a ship passes an inspection of a radiotelephone installation. Issuance of this certificate indicates that the vessel complies with the Communications Act and the Safety Convention.

Categories of ships. (1) When referenced in Part II of Title III of the Communications Act or the radio provisions of the Safety Convention, a ship is a passenger ship if it carries or is licensed or certificated to carry more than twelve passengers. A cargo ship is any ship not a passenger ship.

(2) A commercial transport vessel is any ship which is used primarily in commerce (i) for transporting persons or goods to or from any harbor(s) or port(s) or between places within a harbor or port area, or (ii) in connection with the construction, change in construction, servicing, maintenance, repair, loading, unloading, movement, piloting, or salvaging of any other ship or vessel.

(3) The term passenger carrying vessel, when used in reference to Part III, Title III of the Communications Act of the Great Lakes Radio Agreement, means any ship transporting more than six passengers for hire.

(6) Compulsory ship. Any ship which is required to be equipped with radiotelecommunication equipment in order to comply with the radio or radio-navigation provisions of a treaty or statute to which the vessel is subject.

(7) Voluntary ship. Any ship which is not required by treaty or statute to be equipped with radiotelecommunication equipment.

Coast station. A land station in the maritime mobile service.

Commercial communications. Communications between coast stations and ship stations aboard commercial transport vessels, or between ship stations aboard commercial transport vessels, which relate directly to the purposes for which the ship is used including the piloting of vessels, movements of vessels, obtaining vessel supplies, and scheduling of repairs.

Day. (1) Where the word day is applied to the use of a specific frequency assignment or to a specific authorized transmitter power, its use means transmission on the frequency assignment or with the authorized transmitter power during that period of time included between one hour after local sunrise and one hour before local sunset.

(2) Where the word day occurs in reference to watch requirements, or to equipment testing, its use means the calendar day, from midnight to midnight, local time.

Digital selective calling (DSC). A synchronous system developed by the International Radio Consultative Committee (CCIR), used to establish contact with a station or group of stations automatically by means of radio. The operational and technical characteristics of this system are contained in CCIR Recommendation 493.

Direction finder (radio compass). Apparatus capable of receiving radio signals and taking bearings on these signals from which the true bearing and direction of the point of origin may be determined.

Distress signal. The distress signal is an internationally recognized radiotelegraph or radiotelephone transmission which indicates that a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requests immediate assistance.

(1) In radiotelegraphy, the international distress signal consists of the group “three dots, three dashes, three dots”, transmitted as a single signal in which the dashes are emphasized so as to be distinguished clearly from the dots.

(2) In radiotelephony, the international distress signal consists of the enunciation of the word “Mayday”, pronounced as the French expression “m'aider”. In case of distress, transmission of this particular signal is intended to ensure recognition of a radiotelephone distress call by stations of any nationality.

Distress traffic. All messages relative to the immediate assistance required by a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle in distress.

Emergency position indicating radiobeacon (EPIRB) station. A station in the maritime mobile service the emissions of which are intended to facilitate search and rescue operations.

Environmental communications. Broadcasts of information about the environmental conditions in which vessels operate, i.e., weather, sea conditions, time signals adequate for practical navigation, notices to mariners, and hazards to navigation.

Fleet radio station license. An authorization issued by the Commission for two or more ships having a common owner or operator.

Global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS). An International Maritime Organization (IMO) worldwide coordinated maritime distress system designed to provide the rapid transfer of distress messages from vessels in distress to units best suited for giving or coordinating assistance. The system includes standardized equipment and operational procedures, unique identifers for each station, and the integrated use of frequency bands and radio systems to ensure the transmission and reception of distress and safety calls and messages at short, medium and long ranges.

Great Lakes. This term, used in this part in reference to the Great Lakes Radio Agreement, means all of Lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron (including Georgian Bay), Michigan, Superior, their connecting and tributary waters and the St. Lawrence River as far east as the lower exit of the St. Lambert Lock as Montreal in the Province of Quebec, Canada, but does not include any connecting and tributary waters other than: the St. Marys River, the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River and the Welland Canal.

Harbor or port. Any place to which ships may resort for shelter, or to load or unload passengers or goods, or to obtain fuel, water, or supplies. This term applies to such places whether proclaimed public or not and whether natural or artifical.

Inland waters. This term, as used in reference to waters of the United States, its territories and possessions, means waters that lie landward of the boundary lines of inland waters as contained in 33 CFR part 82, as well as waters within its land territory, such as rivers and lakes, over which the United States exercises sovereignty.

Marine utility station. A station in the maritime mobile service consisting of one or more handheld radiotelephone units licensed under a single authorization. Each unit is capable of operation while being hand-carried by an individual. The station operates under the rules applicable to ship stations when the unit is aboard a vessel, and under the rules applicable to private coast stations when the unit is on land.

Maritime control communications. Communications between private coast and ship stations or between ship stations licensed to a state or local governmental entity, which relate directly to the control of boating activities or assistance to ships.

Maritime mobile repeater station. A land station at a fixed location established for the automatic retransmission of signals to extend the range of communication of ship and coast stations.

Maritime mobile-satellite service. A mobile-satellite service in which mobile earth stations are located on board ships. Survival craft stations and EPIRB stations may also participate in this service.

Maritime mobile service. A mobile service between coast stations and ship stations, or between ship stations, or between associated on-board communication stations. Survival craft stations and EPIRB stations also participate in this service.

Maritime mobile service identities. An international system for the identification of radio stations in the maritime mobile service. The system is comprised of a series of nine digits which are transmitted over the radio path to uniquely identify ship stations, ship earth stations, coast stations, coast earth stations and groups of stations.

Maritime radiodetermination service. A maritime radio-communication service for determining the position, velocity, and/or other characteristics of an object, or the obtaining of information relating to these parameters, by the propagation properties of radio waves.

Maritime support station. A station on land used in support of the maritime services to train personnel and to demonstrate, test and maintain equipment.

Navigable waters. This term, as used in reference to waters of the United States, its territories and possessions, means the waters shoreward of the baseline of its territorial sea and internal waters as contained in 33 CFR 2.05-25.

Navigational communications. Safety communications pertaining to the maneuvering of vessels or the directing of vessel movements. Such communications are primarily for the exchange of information between ship stations and secondarily between ship stations and coast stations.

Noncommercial communications. Communication between coast stations and ship stations other than commercial transport ships, or between ship stations aboard other than commercial transport ships which pertain to the needs of the ship.

Non-selectable transponder. A transponder whose coded response is displayed on any conventional radar operating in the appropriate band.

On-board communication station. A low-powered mobile station in the maritime mobile service intended for use for internal communications on board a ship, or between a ship and its lifeboats and liferafts during lifeboat drills or operations, or for communication within a group of vessels being towed or pushed, as well as for line handling and mooring instructions.

On-board repeater. A radio station that receives and automatically retransmits signals between on-board communication stations.

Open sea. The water area of the open coast seaward of the ordinary low-water mark, or seaward of inland waters.

Operational fixed station. A fixed station, not open to public correspondence, operated by entities that provide their own radio-communication facilities in the private land mobile, maritime or aviation services.

Passenger ship safety certificate. A certificate issued by the Commandant of the Coast Guard after inspection of a passenger ship which complies with the requirements of the Safety Convention.

Pilot. Pilot means a Federal pilot required by 46 U.S.C. 764, a state pilot required under the authority of 46 U.S.C. 211, or a registered pilot required by 46 U.S.C. 216.

Port operations communications. Communications in or near a port, in locks or in waterways between coast stations and ship stations or between ship stations, which relate to the operational handling, movement and safety of ships and in emergency to the safety of persons.

Portable ship station. A ship station which includes a single transmitter intended for use upon two or more ships.

Private coast station. A coast station, not open to public correspondence, which serves the operational, maritime control and business needs of ships.

Public coast station. A coast station that offers radio communication common carrier services to ship radio stations.

Public correspondence. Any telecommunication which the offices and stations must, by reason of their being at the disposal of the public, accept for transmission.

Radar beacon (RACON). A receiver-transmitter which, when triggered by a radar, automatically returns a distinctive signal which can appear on the display of the triggering radar, providing range, bearing and identification information.

Radioprinter operations. Communications by means of a direct printing radiotelegraphy system using any alphanumeric code, within specified bandwidth limitations, which is authorized for use between private coast stations and their associated ship stations on vessels of less than 1600 gross tons.

Safety communication. The transmission or reception of distress, alarm, urgency, or safety signals, or any communication preceded by one of these signals, or any form of radio-communication which, if delayed in transmission or reception, may adversely affect the safety of life or property.

Safety signal. (1) The safety signal is the international radiotelegraph or radiotelephone signal which indicates that the station sending this signal is preparing to transmit a message concerning the safety of navigation or giving important meteorological warnings.

(2) In radiotelegraphy, the international safety signals consists of three repetitions of the group “TTT”, sent before the call, with the letters of each group and the successive groups clearly separated from each other.

(3) In radiotelephony, the international safety signal consists of three oral repetitions of “Security”, pronounced as the French word “Securite”, sent before the call.

Selectable transponder. A transponder whose coded response may be inhibited or displayed on a radar on demand by the operator of that radar.

Selective calling. A means of calling in which signals are transmitted in accordance with a prearranged code to operate a particular automatic attention device at the station whose attention is sought.

Ship earth station. A mobile earth station in the maritime mobile-satellite service located on board ship.

Ship or vessel. Ship or vessel includes every description of watercraft or other artificial contrivance, except aircraft, capable of being used as a means of transportation on water whether or not it is actually afloat.

Ship radio station license. An authorization issued by the Commission to operate a radio station onboard a vessel.

Ship station. A mobile station in the maritime mobile service located on-board a vessel which is not permanently moored, other than a survival craft station.

Station. One or more transmitters or a combination of transmitters and receivers, including the accessory equipment, necessary at one location for carrying on radio-communication services.

Survival craft station. A mobile station in the maritime or aeronautical mobile service intended solely for survival purposes and located on any lifeboat, liferaft or other survival equipment.

Underway. A vessel is underway when it is not at anchor, made fast to the shore, or aground.

Urgency signal. (1) The urgency signal is the international radiotelegraph or radiotelephone signal which indicates that the calling station has a very urgent message to transmit concerning the safety of a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle, or of some person on board or within sight.

(2) In radiotelegraphy, the international urgency signal consists of three repetitions of the group “XXX”, sent before the call, with the letters of each group and the successive groups clearly separated from each other.

(3) In radiotelephony, the international urgency signal consists of three oral repetitions of the group of words “PAN PAN”, each word of the group pronounced as the French word “PANNE” and sent before the call.

Vessel traffic service (VTS). A U.S. Coast Guard traffic control service for ships in designated water areas to prevent collisions, groundings and environmental harm.

This subpart contains the procedures and requirements for the filing of applications for licenses to operate radio facilities in the maritime services. Part 1 of the Commission's rules contains the general rules of practice and procedure applicable to proceedings before the FCC.

§ 80.13Station license required.

(a) Except as noted in paragraph (c) of this section, stations in the maritime service must be licensed by the FCC either individually or by fleet.

(b) One ship station license will be granted for operation of all maritime services transmitting equipment on board a vessel. Radiotelegraph and narrow-band directing-printing equipment will not be authorized, however, unless specifically requested by the applicant.

(c) A ship station is licensed by rule and does not need an individual license issued by the FCC if the ship station is not subject to the radio equipment carriage requirements any statute, treaty or agreement to which the United States is signatory, the ship station does not travel to foreign ports, and the ship station does not make international communications. A ship station licensed by rule is authorized to transmit radio signals using a marine radio operating in the 156-162 MHz band, any type of EPIRB, and any type of radar installation. All other transmissions must be authorized under a ship station license. Even though an individual license is not required, a ship station licensed by rule must be operated in accordance with all applicable operating requirements, procedures, and technical specifications found in this part.

(a) General. A station license cannot be granted to or held by a foreign government or its representative.

(b) Public coast stations and Alaska-public fixed stations. A station license for a public coast station or an Alaska-public fixed station cannot be granted to or held by:

(1) Any alien or the representative of any alien;

(2) Any foreign government or its representative;

(3) Any corporation organized under the laws of any foreign government;

(4) Any corporation of which more than one-fifth of the capital stock is owned of record or voted by aliens or their representatives or by a foreign government or its representative, or by a corporation organized under the laws of a foreign country; or

(5) Any corporation directly or indirectly controlled by any other corporation of which more than one-fourth of the capital stock is owned of record or voted by aliens, their representatives, or by a foreign government or its representatives, or by any corporation organized under the laws of a foreign country, if the Commission finds that the public interest will be served by the refusal or revocation of such license.

(2) A subsidiary communications corporation of the owner or operator of the vessel;

(3) A State or local government subdivision; or

(4) Any agency of the U.S. Government subject to section 301 of the Communications Act.

(e) EPIRB stations. (1) New class C EPIRB stations will not be authorized after February 1, 1995. Class C EPIRB stations installed and licensed before February 1, 1995, will be authorized until February 1, 1999:

(i) For use on board vessels operating within 32 kilometers (approximately 20 miles) of shore and in the Great Lakes, or

(ii) On passenger and cargo vessels with survival craft as required or recommended by the U.S. Coast Guard.

(2) Class A or B EPIRB stations will be authorized for use on board the following types of vessels:

(i) Vessels authorized to carry survival craft; or

(ii) Vessels expected to travel in waters beyond the range of marine VHF distress coverage which is generally considered to be more than 32 kilometers (approximately 20 miles) offshore; or

(iii) Vessels required to be fitted with EPIRB's to comply with U.S. Coast Guard regulations.

(3) A 406.025 MHz EPIRBs may be used by any ship required by U.S. Coast Guard regulations to carry an EPIRB or by any ship that is equipped with a VHF ship radio station.

(a) Stations in the Maritime Mobile Service are licensed according to class of station as follows:

(1) Public coast stations.

(2) Private coast stations.

(3) Maritime support stations.

(4) Ship stations. The ship station license may include authority to operate other radio station classes aboard ship such as; radionavigation, on-board, satellite, EPIRB, radiotelephone, radiotelegraph and survival craft.

(5) Marine utility stations.

(b) Stations on land in the Maritime Radiodetermination Service are licensed according to class of station as follows:

(1) Shore radiolocation stations.

(2) Shore radionavigation stations.

(c) Fixed stations in the Fixed Service associated with the maritime services are licensed as follows:

(1) Operational fixed stations.

(2) Alaska-public fixed stations.

(3) Alaska-private fixed stations.

§ 80.21Supplemental information required.

Applications must contain supplementary information as indicated in this section. Other supplemental information may be required by other rule sections of this part concerning particular maritime services.

(a) Each application for a new public coast station operating on frequencies in the band 156-162 MHz must include as supplementary information a chart, with supporting data, showing the service area contour computed in accordance with subpart P of this part.

(b) Each application for a new public coast station operating on frequencies in the band 156-162 MHz to be located within the coordination boundaries of “Arrangement “A” of the Canada/U.S.A. Frequency Coordination Agreement above 30 MHz”, must comply with the provisions of the “Canada/U.S.A. Channeling Agreement for VHF Maritime, Public Correspondence” as contained in § 80.57.

(c) A new station on a vessel not located in the United States must not be documented or otherwise registered by any foreign authority. The foreign authorities where the vessel is located will not or cannot license the vessel radio equipment and can not object to the licensing of the equipment by the United States. An applicant must provide verification of these facts upon request by the Commission.

At 63 FR 68955, Dec. 14, 1998, § 80.21 was amended by removing paragraphs (a), (b), and (f); redesignating paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) as (a), (b), and (c); and revising the introductory test and newly redesignated paragraph (c). This section contains information collection and recordkeeping requirements, and the amendments will not become effective until approval has been given by the Office of Management and Budget.

§ 80.25License term.

(a) Licenses for ship stations in the maritime services will normally be issued for a term of ten years from the date of original issuance, or renewal.

(b) Licenses other than ship stations in the maritime services will normally be issued for a term of five years from the date of original issuance or renewal, except that licenses for VHF public coast stations will normally be issued for a term of ten years from the date of original issuance or renewal.

(c) Licenses for stations engaged in developmental operation will be issued for a period not to exceed one year from date of grant.

Wireless telecommunications carriers subject to this part must comply with the discontinuance of service provisions of part 63 of this chapter.

[63 FR 68955, Dec. 14, 1998]§ 80.33Developmental license.

This section contains rules about the licensing of developmental operations at stations subject to this part.

(a) Supplemental eligibility. An authorization for developmental operation will be issued only to persons eligible to operate such stations on a regular basis.

(b) Showing required. Each application for a developmental license must be accompanied by the following showing:

(1) The applicant has an organized plan of development leading to an objective;

(2) A point has been reached in the program where actual transmission by radio is essential to progress;

(3) The program will contribute to the use of the radio services subject to this part;

(4) The program will be conducted by qualified personnel;

(5) The applicant is legally qualified and possesses technical facilities for conduct of the program as proposed; and

(6) The public interest, convenience and necessity will be served by the proposed operation.

(c) Statement of understanding. The showing must state that the applicant agrees that any developmental license issued will be accepted with the express understanding that it is subject to change in any of its terms or to cancellation in its entirety at any time, upon reasonable notice but without a hearing, if, in the opinion of the Commission, circumstances should so require.

(d) Assignable frequencies. Applicants for a developmental license may be authorized to use a frequency or frequencies available for the service and class of station proposed. The number of frequencies assignable to a particular station will depend upon the specific requirements of the developmental program and the number of frequencies available for use in the area where the station is to be operated.

(e) Developmental program. (1) The developmental program as described by the applicant in the application for authorization must be substantially followed unless the Commission otherwise directs.

(2) Where some phases of the developmental program are not covered by the general rules of the Commission and the rules in this part, the Commission may specify supplemental or additional requirements or conditions.

(3) The Commission may, from time to time, require a station engaged in developmental work to conduct special tests which are reasonable to the authorized developmental program.

(f) Use of developmental stations. (1) Stations authorized to conduct developmental operations must conform to all applicable technical and operating requirements contained in this part, unless a waiver is specifically provided in the station authorization.

(2) Communication with any station of a country other than the United States is prohibited unless specifically provided in the station authorization.

(3) Developmental operations must not cause harmful interference to the operation of stations regularly authorized to use the frequency or frequencies.

(g) Report of operation required. A report on the results of the developmental program must be filed within 60 days of the expiration of the license. A report must accompany a request for renewal of the license. Matters which the applicant does not wish to disclose publicly may be so labeled; they will be used solely for the Commission's information. However, public disclosure is governed by § 0.467 of this chapter. The report must include the following:

(1) Results of operation to date.

(2) Analysis of the results obtained.

(3) Copies of any published reports.

(4) Need for continuation of the program.

(5) Number of hours of operation on each authorized frequency during the term of the license to the date of the report.

At 63 FR 68955, Dec. 14, 1998, § 80.33 was amended by revising the introductory text of paragraph (b) and paragraph (c). This section contains information collection and recordkeeping requirements, and the amendments will not become effective until approval has been given by the Office of Management and Budget.

§ 80.37One authorization for a plurality of stations.

Marine utility stations. One station license may be issued to authorize a designated maximum number of marine utility stations operating at temporary unspecified locations, normally in multiples of ten stations when:

(a) The licensee of each station is the same; and

(b) The authorized area of operation of each station is the same.

§ 80.39Authorized station location.

This section describes the circumstances under which a coast station location is classified as permanent or temporary unspecified.

(a) Permanent. Whenever a station is to transmit from a single location, the station location is permanent and the location must be shown on the application.

(b) Temporary unspecified. Whenever a station is to transmit from unspecified locations within a prescribed geographical area, the station location is temporary unspecified and the proposed geographical operating area must be shown on the application.

§ 80.41Control points and dispatch points.

This section applies to coast or fixed stations at permanent locations.

(a) Applicants must provide the address or location of the control point where station records will be kept.

(b) When the address or location of a control point where station records are kept is to be changed, the licensee must request a modification of the station license.

(c) Control points not collocated with station records and dispatch points may be installed and used without obtaining any authorization from the Commission.

§ 80.43Equipment acceptable for licensing.

Transmitters listed in § 80.203 must be authorized for a particular use by the Commission based upon technical requirements contained in subparts E and F of this part.

For applications other than ship stations, the applicant must propose frequencies and ensure that those requested frequencies are consistent with the applicant's eligibility, the proposed class of station operation, and the frequencies available for assignment as contained in subpart H of this part.

[63 FR 68955, Dec. 14, 1998]§ 80.47Operation during emergency.

A station may be used for emergency communications when normal communication facilities are disrupted. The Commission may order the discontinuance of any such emergency communication service.

§ 80.49Construction and regional service requirements.

(a) Public coast stations. (1) Each VHF public coast station geographic area licensee must notify the Commission of substantial service within its region or service area (subpart P) within five years of the initial license grant, and again within ten years of the initial license grant in accordance with § 1.946 of this chapter. “Substantial” service is defined as service which is sound, favorable, and substantially above a level of mediocre service which just might minimally warrant renewal. For site-based VHF public coast station licensees, when a new license has been issued or additional operating frequencies have been authorized, the licensee must notify the Commission in accordance with § 1.946 of this chapter that the station or frequencies authorized have been placed in operation within twelve months from the date of the grant.

(2) For LF, MF, HF, and AMTS band public coast station licensees, when a new license has been issued or additional operating frequencies have been authorized, the licensee must notify the Commission in accordance with § 1.946 of this chapter that the station or frequencies authorized have been placed in operation within eight months from the date of the grant.

(b) Public fixed stations. When a new license has been issued or additional operating frequencies have been authorized, the licensee must notify the Commission in accordance with § 1.946 of this chapter that the station or frequencies authorized have been placed in operation within twelve months from the date of the grant.

[63 FR 68955, Dec. 14, 1998]§ 80.51Ship earth station licensing.

(a) [Reserved]

(b) A ship earth station authorized to operate the INMARSAT space segment must display the Commission license in conjunction with the commissioning certificate issued by the INMARSAT Organization. Ship earth stations that were operating in the MARISAT system and are not commissioned by the INMARSAT Organization will continue to be used in the INMARSAT system without a commissioning certificate issued by the INMARSAT Organization. The continued use of such equipment, however, will not be permitted after September 1, 1991, unless a commissioning certificate is obtained from the INMARSAT Organization. Notwithstanding the requirements in this paragraph, ship earth stations can operate in the INMARSAT space segment without an INMARSAT issued commissioning certificate provided an appropriate written approval is obtained from the INMARSAT Organization in addition to the Commission's license.

The Commission may grant a license permitting operation of a portable ship station aboard different vessels of the United States.

[63 FR 68956, Dec. 14, 1998]Effective Date Note:

At 63 FR 68956, Dec. 14, 1998, § 80.53 was revised. This section contains information collection and recordkeeping requirements and will not become effective until approval has been given by the Office of Management and Budget.

AMTS licensees will be issued blanket authority for a system of coast stations and mobile units (subscribers). AMTS applicants will specify the maximum number of mobile units to be placed in operation during the license period.

(a) An applicant may apply for licenses for two or more radiotelephone stations aboard different vessels on the same application. Under these circumstances a fleet station license may be issued for operation of all radio stations aboard the vessels in the fleet.

(b) The fleet station license is issued on the following conditions:

(1) The licensee must keep a current list of vessel names and registration numbers authorized by the fleet license;

(2) The vessels do not engage in voyages to any foreign country;

(3) The vessels are not subject to the radio requirements of the Communications Act or the Safety Convention.

(a) Canada/U.S.A. arrangement. Pursuant to arrangements between the United States and Canada, assignment of VHF frequencies in the band 156-162 MHz to public coast stations in certain areas of Washington state, the Great Lakes and the east coast of the United States must be made in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(b) Definitions. On the west coast, specific terms are defined as follows:

(1) Inland Waters Public Correspondence Sector. A distinct geographical area in which one primary and one supplementary channel is allotted. A number of local channels may also be authorized.

(2) Coastal Waters Public Correspondence Sector. A distinct geographical area in which one primary and one supplementary channel is allotted. Local channels may also be authorized.

(3) Inland Waters. Inland waters of western Washington and British Columbia bounded by 47 degrees latitude on the south, the Canada/U.S.A. Coordination Zone Line B on the north, and to the west by 124 degrees 40 minutes longitude at the west entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

(4) Coastal Waters. Waters along the Pacific Coast of Washington state and Vancouver Island within the Canada/U.S.A. Coordination Zone.

(5) Inland Waters Primary Channel. A channel intended to cover the greater portion of an Inland Waters Public Correspondence Sector. It may provide some coverage to an adjacent sector but must not provide coverage beyond the adjacent sector. Harmful interference beyond the adjacent sector must not occur. Only one primary channel will be authorized in any sector.

(6) Inland waters of western Washington and British Columbia bounded by 46°59′59.3″ north latitude on the south, the Canada/U.S.A. Coordination Zone Line B on the south, and to the west by 124°40′4.7″ west latitude at the west entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Note:

All coordinates are referenced to North American Datum 1983 (NAD83).

(7) Inland Waters Local Channel. A channel designed to provide local coverage of certain bays, inlets and ports where coverage by primary or supplementary channels is poor or where heavy traffic loading warrants. A local channel must not cause harmful interference to any primary or supplementary channels. Coverage must be confined to the designated sector.

(2) Inland Waters Local Channel. ERP must not exceed 8 watts with an antenna height of no more than 15 meters (50 feet) AMSL or the ERP must not exceed 2 watts with an antenna height of no more than 30 meters (100 feet) AMSL.

(5) Harmful interference will be determined and resolved using the definition and procedures of the ITU Radio Regulations.

(6) To keep the ERP and antenna elevations at a minimum and to limit coverage to the desired areas, an informal application may be filed for special temporary authority in accordance with §§ 1.41 and 1.931 of this chapter to conduct a field survey to obtain necessary data for informal application. Such data may accompany the application and be used in lieu of theoretical calculations as required in subpart P of this part. The Seattle FCC District Office must be notified in advance of scheduled tests.

(d) Canada/U.S.A. channeling arrangement for West Coast VHF maritime mobile public correspondence. (1) The provisions of the Canada/U.S. channeling arrangement apply to waters of the State of Washington and of the Province of British Columbia within the coordination boundaries of “Arrangement A” of the Canada/U.S.A. Frequency Coordination Agreement above 30 MHz. In addition, all inland waters as far south as Olympia are to be included. A map of these waters is contained in paragraph (d)(6) of this section, Figure 1.

(3) Public correspondence stations may be established by either country in accordance with the provisions of the arrangements. However, there must be an exchange of information prior to the establishment of new stations or a change in technical parameters of existing stations. Any channel except that used as primary or supplementary channel in a given sector is available for use as a local channel in that sector. Local channels are not protected from interference caused by primary or supplementary channels in adjacent sectors if these stations are in compliance with this section.

(4) Preliminary local Canadian/U.S. coordination is required for all applications at variance with this section. This coordination will be in accordance with the provisions of Arrangement “A” of the Canada/U.S. Frequency Coordination Agreement over 30 MHz. Stations at variance with the arrangement are not protected from interference and must not cause interference to existing or future stations which are in accordance with the agreement.

(5) Stations in existence at the time of the arrangement must have complied with the provisions of the arrangement within 12 months after it became effective with the following exceptions:

(ii) These stations employing frequencies assigned at the time of the arrangement may be maintained with existing antenna heights in excess of 152 meters (500 feet) unless harmful interference to existing stations is identified and reported directly to the Federal Communications Commission or through the Public Correspondence Committee of the North Pacific Marine Radio Council.

(6) The agreed channeling arrangements for the west coast are as follows:

(e) Canada/U.S.A. VHF channeling arrangement on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway. Channels on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway will be assigned as follows:

(1) The provisions of the arrangement apply to the waters of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway within the coordination boundaries of “Arrangement A” of the Canada/U.S.A. Frequency Coordination Agreement above 30 MHz.

1. Also assignable to U.S. Stations within the frequency coordination zone following successful coordination with Canada.

2. Also assignable to Canadian station within the frequency coordination zone following successful coordination with the United States.

3. Changes to existing assignments and new assignments within the frequency coordination zone of either country are subject to prior coordination with the other Administration.

(f) Canada/U.S.A. channeling arrangement for East Coast VHF maritime mobile public correspondence. For purposes of this section, channels on the east coast will be assigned as follows:

(1) The provisions of the arrangement apply to the Canadian and U.S.A. east coast waters including the St. Lawrence Seaway within the coordination boundaries of “Arrangement A” of the Canada/U.S.A. Frequency Coordination Agreement above 30 MHz.

(a) Inspection of ships subject to the Communications Act or the Safety Convention.

(1) The FCC will not normally conduct the required inspections of ships subject to the inspection requirements of the Communications Act or the Safety Convention.

Note:

Nothing in this section prohibits Commission inspectors from inspecting ships. The mandatory inspection of U. S. vessels must be conducted by an FCC-licensed technician holding an FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License, GMDSS Radio Maintainer's License, Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate, or First Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate in accordance with the following table:

(2) A certification that the ship has passed an inspection must be entered into the ship's log by the inspecting technician. The technician conducting the inspection and providing the certification must not be the vessel's owner, operator, master, or employee or their affiliates. Additionally, the vessel owner, operator, or ship's master must certify in the station log that the inspection was satisfactory. There are no FCC prior notice requirements for any inspection pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of this section. An inspection of the bridge-to-bridge radio stations on board vessels subject to the Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act must be conducted by the same FCC-licensed technician.

(3) Additionally, for passenger vessels operated on an international voyage the inspecting technician must send a completed FCC Form 806 to the Officer in Charge, Marine Safety Office, United States Coast Guard in the Marine Inspection Zone in which the ship is inspected.

(4) In the event that a ship fails to pass an inspection the inspecting technician must make a log entry detailing the reason that the ship did not pass the inspection. Additionally, the technician must notify the vessel owner, operator, or ship's master that the vessel has failed the inspection.

(5) Because such inspections are intended to ensure the availability of communications capability during a distress the Commission will vigorously investigate reports of fraudulent inspections, or violations of the Communications Act or the Commission's Rules related to ship inspections. FCC-licensed technicians, ship owners or operators should report such violations to the Commission through its National Call Center at 1-888-CALL FCC (1-888-225-5322).

(b) Inspection and certification of a ship subject to the Great Lakes Agreement. The FCC will not inspect Great Lakes Agreement vessels. An inspection and certification of a ship subject to the Great Lakes Agreement must be made by a technician holding one of the following: an FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License, a GMDSS Radio Maintainer's License, a Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate, or a First Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate. The certification required by § 80.953 must be entered into the ship's log. The technician conducting the inspection and providing the certification must not be the vessel's owner, operator, master, or an employee of any of them. Additionally, the vessel owner, operator, or ship's master must certify that the inspection was satisfactory. There are no FCC prior notice requirements for any inspection pursuant to § 80.59(b).

(c) Application for exemption. (1) Applications for exemption from the radio provisions of part II or III of title III of the Communications Act, the Safety Convention, or the Great Lakes Radio Agreement, or for modification or renewal of an exemption previously granted must be filed as a waiver request using FCC Form 605. Waiver requests must include the following information:

(i) Name of ship;

(ii) Call sign of ship;

(iii) Official number of ship;

(iv) Gross tonnage of ship;

(v) The radio station requirements from which the exemption is requested:

(A) Radiotelephone (VHF/MF);

(B) Radiotelegraph; and/or

(C) Radio direction finding apparatus;

(vi) File number of any previously granted exemption;

(vii) Detailed description of the voyages for which the exemption is requested, including:

(A) Maximum distance from nearest land in nautical miles;

(B) Maximum distance between two consecutive ports in nautical miles; and

(C) Names of all ports of call and an indication of whether travel will include a foreign port;

(viii) Reasons for the exemption:

(A) Size of vessel;

(B) Variety of radio equipment on board;

(C) Limited routes; and/or

(D) Conditions of voyages;

(ix) A copy of the U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection an indication of whether the vessel is certified as a Passenger or Cargo ship (for passenger ships, list the number of passengers the ship is licensed to carry); and

(x) Type and quantity of radio equipment on board, including:

(A) VHF Radio Installation (indicate if GMDSS approved);

(B) Single Side-Band (SSB) (indicate the band of operation, MF or HF and indicate if GMDSS approved);

(C) Category 1, 406 MHz EPIRB (GMDSS approved);

(D) NAVTEX Receiver (GMDSS approved);

(E) Survival Craft VHF (GMDSS approved);

(F) 9 GHz Radar Transponder (GMDSS approved);

(G) Ship Earth Station;

(H) 500 kHz Distress Frequency Watch Receiver;

(I) 2182 Radiotelephone Auto Alarm;

(J) Reserve Power Supply (capability); and

(K) Any other equipment.

(2) Feeable applications for exemption must be filed with Mellon Bank, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the address set forth in § 1.1102. Waiver requests that do not require a fee should be submitted via the Universal Licensing System or to: Federal Communications Commission, 1270 Fairfield Road, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325-7245. Emergency requests must be filed with the Federal Communications Commission, Office of the Secretary, 445 Twelfth Street, SW., TW-B204, Washington, DC 20554.

Note:

With emergency requests, do not send the fee, you will be billed.

(d) Waiver of annual inspection. (1) The Commission may, upon a finding that the public interest would be served, grant a waiver of the annual inspection required by Section 362(b) of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. 360(b), for a period of not more than 90 days for the sole purpose of enabling a United States vessel to complete its voyage and proceed to a port in the United States where an inspection can be held. An informal application must be submitted by the ship's owner, operator or authorized agent. The application must be submitted to the Commission's District Director or Resident Agent in charge of the FCC office nearest the port of arrival at least three days before the ship's arrival. The application must include:

(i) The ship's name and radio call sign;

(ii) The name of the first United States port of arrival directly from a foreign port;

(iii) The date of arrival;

(iv) The date and port at which annual inspection will be formally requested to be conducted;

(v) The reason why an FCC-licensed technician could not perform the inspection; and

(vi) A statement that the ship's compulsory radio equipment is operable.

(2) Vessels that are navigated on voyages outside of the United States for more than 12 months in succession are exempted from annual inspection required by section 362(b) of the Communications Act, provided that the vessels comply with all applicable requirements of the Safety Convention, including the annual inspection required by Regulation 9, Chapter I, and the vessel is inspected by an FCC-licensed technician in accordance with this section within 30 days of arriving in the United States.

At 64 FR 53241, Oct. 1, 1999, § 80.59 was amended by revising the last sentence of paragraph (c)(2), effective Nov. 30, 1999. For the convenience of the user, the superseded text is set forth as follows:

(a) Eligibility. VHF Public Coast Station Area (VPCSA) licensees, see § 80.371(c)(1)(ii) of this part, may partition their geographic service area or disaggregate their spectrum pursuant to the procedures set forth in this section. Parties seeking approval for partitioning and disaggregation shall request an authorization for partial assignment pursuant to § 1.924 of this chapter.

(b) Technical standards. (1) Partitioning. In the case of partitioning, all requests for authorization for partial assignment of a license must include, as an attachment, a description of the partitioned service area. The partitioned service area shall be defined by coordinate points at every 3 degrees along the partitioned service area unless an FCC-recognized service area is utilized (e.g., Metropolitan Service Area, Rural Service Area, or Economic Area) or county lines are used. The geographic coordinates must be specified in degrees, minutes, and seconds to the nearest second of latitude and longitude, and must be based upon the 1983 North American Datum (NAD83). In a case where an FCC-recognized service area or county lines are utilized, applicants need only list the specific area(s) (through use of FCC designations or county names) that constitute the partitioned area.

(2) Disaggregation. Spectrum may be disaggregated in any amount, provided acquired spectrum is disaggregated according to frequency pairs.

(3) Combined partitioning and disaggregation. The Commission will consider requests for partial assignment of licenses that propose combinations of partitioning and disaggregation.

(c) License term. The license term for a partitioned license area and for disaggregated spectrum shall be the remainder of the original licensee's term as provided for in § 80.25 of this part.

(d) Construction Requirements. (1) Partitioning. Partial assignors and assignees for license partitioning have two options to meet construction requirements. Under the first option, the partitionor and partitionee would each certify that they will independently satisfy the substantial service requirement for their respective partitioned areas. If either licensee failed to meet its substantial service showing requirement, only the non-performing licensee's renewal application would be subject to dismissal. Under the second option, the partitioner certifies that it has met or will meet the substantial service requirement for the entire market. If the partitioner fails to meet the substantial service standard, however, only its renewal application would be subject to forfeiture at renewal.

(2) Disaggregation. Partial assignors and assignees for license disaggregation have two options to meet construction requirements. Under the first option, the disaggregator and disaggregatee would certify that they each will share responsibility for meeting the substantial service requirement for the geographic service area. If parties choose this option and either party fails to do so, both licenses would be subject to forfeiture at renewal. The second option would allow the parties to agree that either the disaggregator or the disaggregatee would be responsible for meeting the substantial service requirement for the geographic service area. If parties choose this option, and the party responsible for meeting the construction requirement fails to do so, only the license of the nonperforming party would be subject to forfeiture at renewal.

All stations and required station records must be made available for inspection by authorized representatives of the Commission.

§ 80.63Maintenance of transmitter power.

(a) The power of each radio transmitter must not be more than that necessary to carry on the service for which the station is licensed.

(b) Except for transmitters using single sideband and independent sideband emissions, each radio transmitter rated by the manufacturer for carrier power in excess of 100 watts must contain the instruments necessary to determine the transmitter power during its operation.

(a) All coast stations licensed to transmit in the band 156-162 MHz must be able to transmit and receive on 156.800 MHz and at least one working frequency in the band.

(b) All coast stations that operate telephony on frequencies in the 1605-3500 kHz band must be able to transmit and receive using J3E emission on the frequency 2182 kHz and at least one working frequency in the band. In addition, each such public coast station must transmit and receive H3E emission on the frequency 2182 kHz.

§ 80.68Facilities requirements for public coast stations using telegraphy.

Public coast station using telegraphy must be provided with the following facilities.

(a) Stations having a frequency assignment below 150 kHz must:

(1) Transmit A1A emission on at least one working frequency within the band 100-150 kHz;

(2) Receive A1A emission on all radio channels authorized for transmission by mobile stations operating in the maritime mobile service for telegraphy within the band 100-150 kHz.

(b) Stations having a frequency assignment within the 405-525 kHz band must transmit and receive on 500 kHz and at least one working frequency in the band.

(c) Stations having frequency assignments above 4000 kHz must be equipped to receive on each of their assigned frequencies and all ship station radiotelegraphy frequencies in the same sub-band as the assigned frequency of the coast station. See subpart H of this part for the list of frequencies.

§ 80.69Facilities requirement for public coast stations using telephony.

Public coast stations using telephony must be provided with the following facilities.

(a) When the station is authorized to use frequencies in the 1605-3500 kHz band, equipment meeting the requirements of § 80.67(b) must be installed at each transmitting location.

(b) The transmitter power on the frequency 2182 kHz must not exceed 50 watts carrier power for normal operation. During distress, urgency and safety traffic, operation at maximum power is permitted.

§ 80.70Special provisions relative to coast station VHF facilities.

(a) Coast stations which transmit on the same radio channel above 150 MHz must minimize interference by reducing radiated power, by decreasing antenna height or by installing directional antennas. Coast stations at locations separated by less than 241 kilometers (150 miles) which transmit on the same radio channel above 150 MHz must also consider a time-sharing arrangement. The Commission may order station changes if agreement cannot be reached between the involved licensees.

(b) Coast stations which transmit on a radio channel above 150 MHz and are located within interference range of any station within Canada or Mexico must minimize interference to the involved foreign station(s), and must notify the Commission of any station changes.

(c) A VHF (156-162 MHz) public coast station licensee initially authorized on any of the channels listed in the table in § 80.371(c)(1)(i) of this part may transfer or assign its channel(s) to another entity. If the proposed transferee or assignee is the geographic area licensee for the geographic area to which the channel is allocated, such transfer or assignment will be deemed to be in the public interest. However, such presumption will be rebuttable.

Each coast station, Alaska-public fixed station and Alaska-private fixed station must provide operating controls in accordance with the following:

(a) Each station using telegraphy or telephony must be capable of changeover from transmission to reception and vice versa within two seconds excluding a change in operating radio channel.

(b) During it hours of service, each station must be capable of:

(1) Commencing operation within one minute after the need to do so occurs;

(2) Discontinuing all emission within five seconds after emission is no longer desired. The emission of an unattended station in an automated multistation system at which restoration to standby is automatic on conclusion of a call must be discontinued within three seconds of the disconnect signal or, if a disconnect signal is not received, within twenty seconds after reception of the final carrier transmission from a ship station.

(c) Each station using a multichannel installation for telegraphy must be capable of changing from one telegraphy channel to any other telegraphy channel within the same sub-band below 525 kHz within five seconds. This requirement need not be met by equipment intended for use only in emergencies and not used for normal communication.

(d) Every coast station using a multi-channel installation for radiotelephony must be capable of changing from one telephony channel to another telephony channel within:

(1) Five seconds within the frequency band 1605-3500 kHz; or

(2) Three seconds within the band 156-162 MHz. This requirement also applies to marine utility stations.

§ 80.72Antenna requirements for coast stations.

All emissions of a coast station a marine-utility station operated on shore using telephony within the frequency band 30-200 MHz must be vertically polarized.

§ 80.74Public coast station facilities for a telephony busy signal.

A “busy” signal, when used by a public coast station in accordance with the provisions of § 80.111(d), must consist of the transmission of a single audio frequency regularly interrupted, as follows:

(a) Audio frequency: Not less than 100 nor more than 1100 Hertz, provided the frequency used for this purpose will not cause auto alarms or selective-ringing devices to be operated.

(b) Rate of interruption: 60 times per minute ±10%.

(c) Duration of each interruption: 0.5 second ±10%.

§ 80.76Requirements for land station control points.

Each coast or fixed station subject to this part must have the following facilities:

(a) Except for marine utility stations, a visual indication of antenna current; or a pilot lamp, meter or equivalent device which provides continuous visual indication whenever the transmitter control circuits have been actuated.

(b) Capability to aurally monitor all transmissions originating at dispatch points and to disconnect the dispatch points from the transmitter or to terminate the operation of the transmitter.

(c) Facilities which will permit the responsible operator to turn the carrier of the radio transmitter on and off at will.

Station Requirements—Ship Stations§ 80.79Inspection of ship station by a foreign Government.

The Governments or appropriate administrations of countries which a ship visits may require the license of the ship station or ship earth station to be produced for examination. When the license cannot be produced without delay or when irregularities are observed, Governments or administrations may inspect the radio installations to satisfy themselves that the installation conforms to the conditions imposed by the Radio Regulations.

§ 80.80Operating controls for ship stations.

(a) Each control point must be capable of:

(1) Starting and discontinuing operation of the station;

(2) Changing frequencies within the same sub-band;

(3) Changing from transmission to reception and vice versa.

(4) In the case of stations operating in the 156-162 MHz bands, reducing power output to one watt or less in accordance with § 80.215(e).1

1 Ship station transmitters, except hand-held portable transmitters, manufactured after January 21, 1987 must automatically reduce the carrier power to one watt or less when turned to the frequency 156.375 MHz or 156.650 MHz. All ship station tramsmitters, except hand-held portable transmitters, used after January 21, 1997, must automatically reduce power as described above. A manual override device must be provided which when held by the operator will permit full carrier power operation on channels 13 and 67. Hand-held portable transmitters must be capable of reducing power to one watt, but need not do so automatically.

(b) Each ship station using telegraphy must be capable of changing from telegraph transmission to telegraph reception and vice versa without manual switching.

(c) Each ship station using telephony must be capable of changing from transmission to reception and vice versa within two seconds excluding a change in operating radio channel.

(d) During its hours of service, each ship station must be capable of:

(1) Commencing operation within one minute;

(2) Discontinuing all emission within five seconds after emission is no longer desired.

(e) Each ship station using a multi-channel installation for telegraphy (except equipment intended for use only in emergencies on frequencies below 515 kHz) must be capable of changing from one radio channel to another within:

(1) Five seconds if the channels are within the same sub-band; or

(2) Fifteen seconds if the channels are not within the same sub-band.

(f) Each ship station and marine-utility station using a multi-channel installation for telephony must be capable of changing from one radio channel to another within:

(1) Five seconds within the band 1605-3500 kHz; or

(2) Three seconds within the band 156-162 MHz.

(g)(1) Any telegraphy transmitter constructed since January 1, 1952, that operates in the band 405-525 kHz with an output power in excess of 250 watts must be capable of reducing the output power to 150 watts or less.

(2) The requirement of paragraph (g)(1) of this section does not apply when there is available in the same station a transmitter capable of operation on the international calling frequency 500 kHz and at least one working frequency within the band 405-525 kHz, capable of being energized by a source of power other than an emergency power source and not capable of an output in excess of 100 watts when operated on such frequencies.

All telephony emissions of a ship station or a marine utility station on board ship within the frequency band 30-200 MHz must be vertically polarized.

§ 80.83Protection from potentially hazardous RF radiation.

Any license or renewal application for a ship earth station that will cause exposure to radiofrequency (RF) radiation in excess of the RF exposure guidelines specified in § 1.1307(b) of the Commission's Rules must comply with the environmental processing rules set forth in §§ 1.1301-1.1319 of this chapter.

In addition to being regulated by these rules, the use and operation of stations subject to this part are governed by the Radio Regulations and the radio provisions of all other international agreements in force to which the United States is a party.

§ 80.87Cooperative use of frequency assignments.

Each radio channel is available for use on a shared basis only and is not available for the exclusive use of any one station or station licensee. Station licensees must cooperate in the use of their respective frequency assignments in order to minimize interference and obtain the most effective use of the authorized radio channels.

§ 80.88Secrecy of communication.

The station licensee, the master of the ship, the responsible radio operators and any person who may have knowledge of the radio communications transmitted or received by a fixed, land, or mobile station subject to this part, or of any radio-communication service of such station, must observe the secrecy requirements of the Communications Act and the Radio Regulations. See sections 501, 502, and 705 of the Communications Act and Article 23 of the Radio Regulations.

§ 80.89Unauthorized transmissions.

Stations must not:

(a) Engage in superfluous radio-communication.

(b) Use telephony on 243 MHz.

(c) Use selective calling on 2182 kHz or 156.800 MHz.

(d) When using telephony, transmit signals or communications not addressed to a particular station or stations. This provision does not apply to the transmission of distress, alarm, urgency, or safety signals or messages, or to test transmissions.

(e) When using telegraphy, transmit signals or communications not addressed to a particular station or stations, unless the transmission is preceded by CQ or CP or by distress, alarm, urgency, safety signals, or test transmissions.

(f) Transmit while on board vessels located on land unless authorized under a public coast station license. Vessels in the following situations are not considered to be on land for the purposes of this paragraph:

(1) Vessels which are aground due to a distress situation;

(2) Vessels in drydock undergoing repairs; and

(3) State or local government vessels which are involved in search and rescue operations including related training exercises.

(g) Transmit on frequencies or frequency bands not authorized on the current station license.

Transmission must be suspended immediately upon detection of a transmitter malfunction and must remain suspended until the malfunction is corrected, except for transmission concerning the immediate safety of life or property, in which case transmission must be suspended as soon as the emergency is terminated.

§ 80.91Order of priority of communications.

(a) The order of priority of radiotelegraph communications is as follows:

(1) Distress calls including the international distress signal for radiotelegraphy, the international radiotelegraph alarm signal, the international radiotelephone alarm signal, distress messages and distress traffic.

(2) Communications preceded by the international radiotelegraph urgency signal.

(3) Communications preceded by the international radiotelegraphy safety signal.

(4) Communications relative to radio direction-finding bearings.

(5) Communications relative to the navigation and safe movement of aircraft.

(6) Communications relative to the navigation, movements, and needs of ships, including weather observation messages destined for an official meteorological service.

(7) Government communications for which priority right has been claimed.

(8) Service communications relating to the working of the radio-communication service or to communications previously transmitted.

(9) All other communications.

(b) The order of priority of radiotelephone communications is as follows:

(1) Distress calls including the international distress signal for radiotelephony, the international radiotelephone alarm signal, distress messages and distress traffic.

(2) Communications preceded by the international radiotelephone urgency signal, or known to the station operator to consist of one or more urgent messages concerning the safety of a person, aircraft or other mobile unit.

(3) Communications preceded by the international radiotelephone safety signal, or known to the station operator to consist of one or more messages concerning the safety of navigation or important meteorological warnings.

(4) Communications known by the station operator to consist of one or more messages relative to the navigation, movements and needs of ships, including weather observation messages destined for an official meteorological service.

(5) Government communications for which priority right has been claimed.

(6) All other communications.

§ 80.92Prevention of interference.

(a) The station operator must determine that the frequency is not in use by monitoring the frequency before transmitting, except for transmission of signals of distress.

(b) When a radio-communication causes interference to a communication which is already in progress, the interfering station must cease transmitting at the request of either party to the existing communication. As between nondistress traffic seeking to commence use of a frequency, the priority is established under § 80.91.

(c) Except in cases of distress, communications between ship stations or between ship and aircraft stations must not interfere with public coast stations. The ship or aircraft stations which cause interference must stop transmitting or change frequency upon the first request of the affected coast station.

§ 80.93Hours of service.

(a) All stations. All stations whose hours of service are not continuous must not suspend operation before having concluded all communication required in connection with a distress call or distress traffic.

(b) Public coast stations. (1) Each public coast station whose hours of service are not continuous must not suspend operation before having concluded all communication involving messages or calls originating in or destined to mobile stations within range and mobile stations which have indicated their presence.

(2) Unless otherwise authorized by the Commission upon adequate showing of need, each public coast station authorized to operate on frequencies in the 3000-23,000 kHz band must maintain continuous hours of service.

(c) Compulsory ship stations. Compulsory ship stations whose service is not continous may not suspend operation before concluding all traffic originating in or destined for public coast stations situated within their range and mobile stations which have indicated their presence.

(d) Other than public coast or compulsory ship stations. The hours of service of stations other than public coast or compulsory ship stations are determined by the station licensee.

§ 80.94Control by coast or Government station.

When communicating with a coast station or any Government station in the maritime mobile service, ship stations must comply with the instruction given by the coast station or Government station relative to the order and time of transmission, the choice of frequency, the suspension of communication and the permissible type of message traffic that may be transmitted. This provision does not apply in the event of distress.

§ 80.95Message charges.

(a) Charges must not be made for service of:

(1) Any public coast station unless tariffs for the service are on file with the Commission;

(2) Any station other than a public coast station or an Alaska—public fixed station, except cooperatively shared stations covered by § 80.503;

(3) Distress calls and related traffic; and

(4) Navigation hazard warnings preceded by the SAFETY signal.

(b) The licensee of each ship station is responsible for the payment of all charges accruing to any other station(s) or facilities for the handling or forwarding of messages or communications transmitted by that station.

(c) In order to be included in the ITU List of Coast Stations public coast stations must recognize international Accounting Authority Identification Codes (AAIC) for purposes of billing and accounts settlement in accordance with Article 66 of the Radio Regulations. Stations which elect not to recognize international AAIC's will be removed from the ITU List of Coast Stations.

Stations are authorized to engage in test transmissions necessary for maintenance of the station. Test transmissions must conform to appropriate test operating procedures.

§ 80.97Radiotelegraph operating procedures.

This section applies to ships and coast stations authorized to transmit in the band 405-525 kHz.

(a) Except for the transmission of distress or urgency signals, all transmissions must cease within the band 485-515 kHz during each 500 kHz silence period.

(b) Stations transmitting telegraphy must use the service abbreviations (“Q” code) listed in Appendix 14 to the Radio Regulations.

(c) The call consists of:

(1) The call sign of the station called, not more than twice; the word “DE” and the call sign of the calling station, not more than twice; if useful, the frequency on which the called station should reply; and the letter “K”.

(2) If the call is transmitted twice at an interval of not less than one minute, it must not be repeated until after an interval of three minutes.

(d) The reply to calls consists of: The call sign of the calling station, not more than twice; the word “DE”; and the call sign of the station called, once only.

§ 80.98Radiotelegraph testing procedures.

(a) Stations authorized to use telegraphy may conduct tests on any assigned frequency. Emissions must not cause harmful interference. When radiation is necessary the radiotelegraph testing procedure described in this paragraph must be followed:

(1) The operator must not interfere with transmissions in progress.

(2) The operator must transmit “IE” (two dots, space, one dot) on the test frequency as a warning that test emissions are about to be made. When the frequency of the test emission is within the frequency band 405-525 kHz, a watch must be maintained on 500 kHz throughout the test period.

(3) If any station transmits “AS” (wait), testing must be suspended. When transmission of “IE” is resumed and no response is heard, the test may proceed.

(4) Test signals composed of a series of “VVV” having a duration of not more than ten seconds, followed by the call sign of the testing station will be transmitted. The call sign must be sent clearly at a speed of approximately 10 words per minute. This test transmission must not be repeated until a period of at least one minute has elapsed. On 500 kHz in a region of heavy traffic, at least five minutes must elapse before the test transmission is repeated.

(b) When testing is conducted on 500 kHz, no tests will be conducted during the 500 kHz silence periods. Care must be exercised not to so prolong and space the dash portion of the “VVV” series as to form the alarm signal.

(c) When testing is conducted on any frequency in the band 8362-8366 kHz, tests must not actuate any automatic alarm receiver.

§ 80.99Radiotelegraph station identification.

This section applies to coast, ship and survival craft stations authorized to transmit in the band 405-525 kHz.

(a) The station transmitting radiotelegraph emissions must be identified by its call sign. The call sign must be transmitted with the telegraphy emission normally used by the station. The call sign must be transmitted at 20 minute intervals when transmission is sustained for more than 20 minutes. When a ship station is exchanging public correspondence communications, the identification may be deferred until completion of each communication with any other station.

(b) The requirements of this section do not apply to survival craft stations when transmitting distress signals automatically or when operating on 121.500 MHz for radiobeacon purposes.

(c) Emergency position indicating radiobeacon stations do not require identification.

§ 80.100Morse code requirement.

The code employed for telegraphy must be the Morse code specified in the Telegraph Regulations annexed to the International Telecommunication Convention. Pertinent extracts from the Telegraph Regulations are contained in the “Manual for Use by the Maritime Mobile and Maritime Mobile-Satellite Services” published by the International Telecommunication Union.

§ 80.101Radiotelephone testing procedures.

This section is applicable to all stations using telephony except where otherwise specified.

(a) Station licensees must not cause harmful interference. When radiation is necessary or unavoidable, the testing procedure described below must be followed:

(1) The operator must not interfere with transmissions in progress.

(2) The testing station's call sign, followed by the word “test”, must be announced on the radio-channel being used for the test.

(3) If any station responds “wait”, the test must be suspended for a minimum of 30 seconds, then repeat the call sign followed by the word “test” and listen again for a response. To continue the test, the operator must use counts or phrases which do not conflict with normal operating signals, and must end with the station's call sign. Test signals must not exceed ten seconds, and must not be repeated until at least one minute has elapsed. On the frequency 2182 kHz or 156.800 MHz, the time between tests must be a minimum of five minutes.

(b) Testing of transmitters must be confined to single frequency channels on working frequencies. However, 2182 kHz and 156.800 MHz may be used to contact ship or coast stations as appropriate when signal reports are necessary. Short tests on 2182 kHz by vessels with DSB (A3) equipment for distress and safety purposes are permitted to evaluate the compatibility of that equipment with an A3J emission system. U. S. Coast Guard stations may be contacted on 2182 kHz or 156.800 MHz for test purposes only when tests are being conducted by Commission employees, when FCC-licensed technicians are conducting inspections on behalf of the Commission, when qualified technicians are installing or repairing radiotelephone equipment, or when qualified ship's personnel conduct an operational check requested by the U.S. Coast Guard. In these cases the test must be identified as“FCC”or“technical”.

(c) Survival craft transmitter tests must not be made within actuating range of automatic alarm receivers. Survival craft transmitters must not be tested on the frequency 500 kHz during the silence periods.

This section applies to all stations using telephony which are subject to this part.

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section, stations must give the call sign in English. Identification must be made:

(1) At the beginning and end of each communication with any other station.

(2) At 15 minute intervals when transmission is sustained for more than 15 minutes. When public correspondence is being exchanged with a ship or aircraft station, the identification may be deferred until the completion of the communications.

(b) Private coast stations located at drawbridges and transmitting on the navigation frequency 156.650 MHz may identify by use of the name of the bridge in lieu of the call sign.

(c) Ship stations transmitting on any authorized VHF bridge-to-bridge channel may be identified by the name of the ship in lieu of the call sign.

(d) Ship stations operating in a vessel traffic service system or on a waterway under the control of a U.S. Government agency or a foreign authoriy, when communicating with such an agency or authority may be identified by the name of the ship in lieu of the call sign, or as directed by the agency or foreign authority.

(e) VHF public coast station may identify by means of the approximate geographic location of the station or the area it serves when it is the only VHF public coast station serving the location or there will be no conflict with the identification of any other station.

(a) Operating procedures for the use of DSC equipment in the maritime mobile service are as contained in CCIR Recommendation 541 as modified by paragraph (c) of this section.

(b) When using DSC techniques, coast and ship stations must use nine digit maritime mobile service identities.

(c) DSC acknowledgement of DSC distress and safety calls must be made by designated coast stations and such acknowledgement must be in accordance with procedures contained in CCIR Recommendation 541. Nondesignated public and private coast stations must follow the guidance provided for ship stations in CCIR Recommendation 541 with respect to DSC “Acknowledgement of distress calls” and “Distress relays”.

Each coast station or marine-utility station must acknowledge and receive all calls directed to it by ship or aircraft stations. Such stations are permitted to transmit safety communication to any ship or aircraft station. VHF (156-162 MHz) public coast stations may provide fixed or hybrid services on a co-primary basis with mobile operations.

(a) Each public coast station must exchange radio communications with any ship or aircraft station at sea; and each station on shipboard or aircraft at sea must exchange radio communications with any other station on shipboard or aircraft at sea or with any public coast station.

(b) Each public coast station must acknowledge and receive all communications from mobile stations directed to it, transmit all communications delivered to it which are directed to mobile stations within range in accordance with their tariffs. Discrimination in service is prohibited.

A private coast station or a marine-utility station is authorized to transmit messages necessary for the private business and operational needs of ships and the safety of aircraft.

§ 80.108Transmission of traffic lists by coast stations.

(a) Each coast station is authorized to transmit lists of call signs in alphabetical order of all mobile stations for which they have traffic on hand. These traffic lists will be transmitted on the station's normal working frequencies at intervals of:

(1) In the case of telegraphy, at least two hours and not more than four hours during the working hours of the coast station.

(2) In the case of radiotelephony, at least one hour and not more than four hours during the working hours of the coast station.

(b) The announcement must be as brief as possible and must not be repeated more than twice. Coast stations may announce on a calling frequency that they are about to transmit call lists on a specific working frequency.

§ 80.109Transmission to a plurality of mobile stations by a public coast station.

Group calls to vessels under the common control of a single entity and information for the general benefit of mariners including storm warnings, ordinary weather, hydrographic information and press materials may be transmitted by a public coast station simultaneously to a plurality of mobile stations.

§ 80.110Inspection and maintenance of antenna structure markings and associated control equipment.

The owner of each antenna structure required to be painted and/or illuminated under the provisions of Section 303(q) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, shall operate and maintain the antenna structure painting and lighting in accordance with part 17 of this chapter. In the event of default by the owner, each licensee or permittee shall be individually responsible for conforming to the requirements pertaining to antenna structure painting and lighting.

This section applies to all coast stations using telephony which are subject to this part.

(a) Limitations on calling. (1) Except when transmitting a general call to all stations for announcing or preceding the transmission of distress, urgency, or safety messages, a coast station must call the particular station(s) with which it intends to communicate.

(2) Coast stations must call ship stations by voice unless it is known that the particular ship station may be contacted by other means such as automatic actuation of a selective ringing or calling device.

(3) Coast stations may be authorized emission for selective calling on each working frequency.

(4) Calling a particular station must not continue for more than one minute in each instance. If the called station does not reply, that station must not again be called for two minutes. When a called station does not reply to a call sent three times at intervals of two minutes, the calling must cease for fifteen minutes. However, if harmful interference will not be caused to other communications in progress, the call may be repeated after three minutes.

(5) A coast station must not attempt to communicate with a ship station that has specifically called another coast station until it becomes evident that the called station does not answer, or that communication between the ship station and the called station cannot be carried on because of unsatisfactory operating conditions.

(6) Calls to establish communication must be initiated on an available common working frequency when such a frequency exists and it is known that the called ship maintains a simultaneous watch on the common working frequency and the appropriate calling frequency(ies).

(b) Time limitation on calling frequency. Transmissions by coast stations on 2182 kHz or 156.800 MHz must be minimized and any one exchange of communications must not exceed one minute in duration.

(c) Change to working frequency. After establishing communications with another station by call and reply on 2182 kHz or 156.800 MHz coast stations must change to an authorized working channel for the transmission of messages.

(d) Use of busy signal. A coast station, when communicating with a ship station which transmits to the coast station on a radio channel which is a different channel from that used by the coast station for transmission, may transmit a “busy” signal whenever transmission from the ship station is being received. The characteristics of the “busy” signal are contained in § 80.74.

(a) The service of each ship station must at all times be under the ultimate control of the master, who must require that each operator or such station comply with the Radio Regulations in force and that the ship station is used in accordance with those regulations.

(b) These rules are waived when the vessel is under the control of the U.S. Government.

§ 80.115Operational conditions for use of associated ship units.

(a) Associated ship units may be operated under a ship station authorization. Use of an associated ship unit is restricted as follows;

(1) It must only be operated on the safety and calling frequency 156.800 MHz or on commercial or noncommercial VHF intership frequencies appropriate to the class of ship station with which it is associated.

(2) Except for safety purposes, it must only be used to communicate with the ship station with which it is associated or with associated ship units of the same ship station. Such associated ship units may not be used from shore.

(3) It must be equipped to transmit on the frequency 156.800 MHz and at least one appropriate intership frequency.

(4) Calling must occur on the frequency 156.800 MHz unless calling and working on an intership frequency has been prearranged.

(5) Power is limited to one watt.

(6) The station must be identified by the call sign of the ship station with which it is associated and an appropriate unit designator.

(b) State or local government vehicles used to tow vessels involved in search and rescue operations are authorized to operate on maritime mobile frequencies as associated ship units. Such operations must be in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, except that the associated ship unit: May be operated from shore; may use Distress, Safety and Calling, Intership Safety, Liaison, U.S. Coast Guard, or Maritime Control VHF intership frequencies; and may have a transmitter power of 25 watts.

§ 80.116Radiotelephone operating procedures for ship stations.

(a) Calling coast stations. (1) Use by ship stations of the freqency 2182 kHz for calling coast stations and for replying to calls from coast stations is authorized. However, such calls and replies should be on the appropriate ship-shore working frequency.

(2) Use by ship stations and marine utility stations of the frequency 156.800 MHz for calling coast stations and marine utility stations on shore, and for replying to calls from such stations, is authorized. However, such calls and replies should be made on the appropriate ship-shore working frequency.

(b) Calling ship stations. (1) Except when other operating procedure is used to expedite safety communication, ship stations, before transmitting on the intership working frequencies 2003, 2142, 2638, 2738, or 2830 kHz, must first establish communications with other ship stations by call and reply on 2182 kHz. Calls may be initiated on an intership working frequency when it is known that the called vessel maintains a simultaneous watch on the working frequency and on 2182 kHz.

(2) Except when other operating procedures are used to expedite safety communications, the frequency 156.800 MHz must be used for call and reply by ship stations and marine utility stations before establishing communication on one of the intership working frequencies. Calls may be initiated on an intership working frequency when it is known that the called vessel maintains a simultaneous watch on the working frequency and on 156.800 MHz.

(c) Change to working frequency. After establishing communication with another station by call and reply on 2182 kHz or 156.800 MHz stations on board ship must change to an authorized working frequency for the transmission of messages.

(d) Limitations on calling. Calling a particular station must not continue for more than 30 seconds in each instance. If the called station does not reply, the station must not again be called until after an interval of 2 minutes. When a called station called does not reply to a call sent three times at intervals of 2 minutes, the calling must cease and must not be renewed until after an interval of 15 minutes; however, if there is no reason to believe that harmful interference will be caused to other communications in progress, the call sent three times at intervals of 2 minutes may be repeated after a pause of not less than 3 minutes. In event of an emergency involving safety, the provisions of this paragraph do not apply.

(e) Limitations on working. Any one exchange of communications between any two ship stations on 2003, 2142, 2638, 2738, or 2830 kHz or between a ship station and a private coast station on 2738 or 2830 kHz must not exceed 3 minutes after the stations have established contact. Subsequent to such exchange of communications, the same two stations must not again use 2003, 2142, 2638, 2738, or 2830 kHz for communication with each other until 10 minutes have elapsed.

(f) Transmission limitation on 2182 kHz and 156.800 MHz. To facilitate the reception of distress calls, all transmissions on 2182 kHz and 156.800 MHz (channel 16) must be minimized and transmissions on 156.800 MHz must not exceed 1 minute.

(g) Limitations on commercial communication. On frequencies in the band 156-162 MHz, the exchange of commercial communication must be limited to the minimum practicable transmission time. In the conduct of ship-shore communication other than distress, stations on board ship must comply with instructions given by the private coast station or marine utility station on shore with which they are communicating.

(h) 2182 kHz silence periods. To facilitate the reception of distress calls, transmission by ship or survival craft stations is prohibited on any frequency (including 2182 kHz) within the band 2173.5-2190.5 kHz during each 2182 kHz silence period.

(a) Narrow-band direct-printing (NB-DP) operating procedures. (1) When both terminals of the NB-DP circuit are satisfied that the circuit is in operable condition, the message preamble must be transmitted in the following format:

(i) One carriage return and one line feed,

(ii) Serial number or number of the message,

(iii) The name of the office of origin,

(iv) The number of words,

(v) The date of handing in of the message,

(vi) The time of handing in of the message, and

(vii) Any service instructions. (See The ITU “Manual for Use by the Maritime Mobile and Maritime Mobile-Satellite Services”.)

(2) Upon completion of transmission of the preamble, the address, text and signature must be transmitted as received from the sender.

(3) Upon completion of transmission of the signature the coast station must, following the signal “COL”, routinely repeat all service indications in the address and for figures or mixed groups of letters, figures or signs in the address, text or signature.

(4) In telegrams of more than 50 words, routine repetition must be given at the end of each page.

(5) Paragraphs (a) (1) through (4) of this section need not be followed when a direct connection is employed.

(6) In calling ship stations by narrow-band direct-printing, the coast station must use the ship station selective calling number (5 digits) and its assigned coast station identification number (4 digits). Calls to ship stations must employ the following format: Ship station selective call number, repeated twice; “DE”, sent once; and coast station identification number, repeated twice. When the ship station does not reply to a call sent three times at intervals of two minutes, the calling must cease and must not be renewed until after an interval of fifteen minutes.

(7) A public coast station authorized to use NB-DP frequencies between 4000 kHz and 27500 kHz may use class A1A emission on the “mark” frequency for station identification and for establishing communications with ship stations. The radio station license must reflect authority for this type of operation, and harmful interference must not be caused.

(b) Watch on ship calling frequencies. (1) Public coast stations using telegraphy must maintain a continuous watch during their working hours for calls from ship stations on frequencies in the same band(s) in which the coast station is licensed to operate. See subpart H of this part.

(2) Such station must employ receivers which are capable of being accurately set to any designated calling frequency in each band for which the receiver is intended to operate. The time required to set the receiver to a frequency must not exceed five seconds. The receiver must have a long term frequency stability of not more than 50 Hz and a minimum sensitivity of two microvolts across receiver input terminals of 50 ohms, or equivalent. The audio harmonic distortion must not exceed five percent at any rated output power.

(c) Radiotelegraph frequencies. Radiotelegraph frequencies available for assignment to public coast stations are contained in subpart H of this part.

§ 80.122Public coast stations using facsimile and data.

Facsimile operations are a form of telegraphy for the transmission and receipt of fixed images between authorized coast and ship stations. Facsimile and data techniques may be implemented in accordance with the following paragraphs.

(a) Supplemental Eligibility Requirements. Public coast stations are eligible to use facsimile and data techniques with ship stations.

(b) Assignment and use of frequencies. (1) Frequencies in the 2000-27500 kHz bands in part 2 of the Commission's rules as available for shared use by the maritime mobile service and other radio services are assignable to public coast stations for providing facsimile communications with ship stations. Additionally, frequencies in the 156-162 MHz band available for assignment to public coast stations for radiotelephone communications that are contained in subpart H of this part are also available for facsimile and data communications.

(2) Equipment used for facsimile and data operations is subject to the applicable provisions of subpart E of this part.

(3) The use of voice on frequencies authorized for facsimile operations in the bands 2000-27500 kHz listed in subpart H of this part is limited to setup and confirmation of receipt of facsimile transmissions.

[57 FR 43407, Sept. 21, 1992]§ 80.123Service to stations on land.

Marine VHF public coast stations, including AMTS coast stations, may provide public correspondence service to stations on land in accordance with the following:

(a) The public coast station licensee must provide each associated land station with a letter, which shall be presented to authorized FCC representatives upon request, acknowledging that the land station may operate under the authority of the associated public coast station's license:

(b) Each public coast station serving stations on land must afford priority to marine-originating communications through any appropriate electrical or mechanical means.

(c) Land station identification shall consist of the associated public coast station's call sign, followed by a unique numeric or alphabetic unit identifier;

(d) Radio equipment used on land must be type accepted for use under part 22, part 80, or part 90 of this chapter. Such equipment must operate only on the public correspondence channels authorized for use by the associated public coast station;

(e) Transmitter power shall be in accordance with the limits set in § 80.215 for ship stations and antenna height shall be limited to 6.1 meters (20 feet) above ground level;

(f) Land stations may only communicate with public coast stations and must remain within radio range of associated public coast stations; and,

(g) The land station must cease operation immediately upon written notice by the Commission to the associated public coast station that the land station is causing harmful interference to marine communications.

Radioprinter operations provide a relatively low cost system of record communications between authorized coast and ship stations in accordance with the following paragraphs.

(a) Supplementary eligibility requirement. A radioprinter authorization for a private coast station may be issued to the owner or operator of a ship of less than 1600 gross tons, a community of ships all of which are less than 1600 gross tons, or an association whose members operate ships of less than 1600 gross tons.

(b) Scope of communications. Only those communications which concern the business and operational needs of vessels are authorized.

(c) Assignment and use of frequencies. (1) Frequencies may be assigned to private coast stations for radioprinter use from the appropriate bands listed in subpart H of this part.

(2) Frequencies in the listed bands are shared with other radio services including the maritime mobile service. Each assigned frequency is available on a shared use basis only, not for the exclusive use of any one station or licensee.

(d) Coast station responsibilities. (1) Private coast stations must propose frequencies and provide the names of ships to be served with the application.

(2) Private coast station licensees must provide copies of their license to all ships with which they are authorized to conduct radioprinter operations.

§ 80.133Private coast stations using facsimile in Alaska.

Facsimile techniques may be implemented in accordance with the following paragraphs.

(a) Private coast stations in Alaska are eligible to use facsimile techniques with associated ship stations and other private coast stations in accordance with § 80.505(b).

(b) The frequency 156.425 MHz is assigned by rule to private coast stations in Alaska for facsimile transmissions.

(c) Equipment used for facsimile operations is subject to the applicable provisions of subpart E of this part.

(a) Points of communication. Ship stations and marine utility stations on board ships are authorized to communicate with any station in the maritime mobile service.

(b) Service requirements for all ship stations. (1) Each ship station must receive and acknowledge all communications which are addressed to the ship or to any person on board.

(2) Every ship, on meeting with any direct danger to the navigation of other ships such as ice, a derelict vessel, a tropical storm, subfreezing air temperatures associated with gale force winds causing severe icing on superstructures, or winds of force 10 or above on the Beaufort scale for which no storm warning has been received, must transmit related information to ships in the vicinity and to the authorities on land unless such action has already been taken by another station. All such radio messages must be preceded by the safety signal.

(3) A ship station may accept communications for retransmission to any other station in the maritime mobile service. Whenever such messages or communications have been received and acknowledged by a ship station for this purpose, that station must retransmit the message as soon as possible.

(c) Service requirements for vessels. Each ship station provided for compliance with Part II of Title III of the Communications Act must provide a public correspondence service on voyages of more than 24 hours for any person who requests the service.

(1) Compulsory radiotelegraph ships must provide this service during the hours the radio operator is normally on duty.

(2) Compulsory radiotelephone ships must provide this service for at least four hours daily. The hours must be prominently posted at the principal operating location of the station.

(d) Operating conditions. Effective August 1, 1994, VHF hand-held, portable transmitters used while connected to an external power source or a ship antenna must be equipped with an automatic timing device that deactivates the transmitter and reverts the transmitter to the receive mode after an uninterrupted transmission period of five minutes, plus or minus 10 percent. Additionally, such transmitters must have a device that indicates when the automatic timer has deactivated the transmitter. See also § 80.203(c).

(a) Calling by narrow-band direct-printing. (1) NB-DP ship stations must call United States public coast stations on frequencies designated for NB-DP operation.

(2) Where it is known that the coast station maintains a watch on working frequencies for ship station NB-DP calls the ship station must make its initial NB-DP call on those frequencies.

(3) Calls to a coast station or other ship station must employ the following format: Coast station identification number, repeated twice; “DE”, sent once; and ship station selective call number, repeated twice. When the coast station does not reply to a call sent three times at intervals of two minutes, the calling must cease for fifteen minutes.

(b) NB-DP operating procedure. The operation of NB-DP equipment in the maritime mobile service must be in accordance with the operating procedures contained in the latest version of CCIR Recommendation 492 that does not prevent the use of existing equipment.

(c) Required channels for radiotelegraphy. (1) Each ship station using telegraphy on frequencies within the band 405-525 kHz must be capable of:

(i) Transmit and receive on 500 kHz using the authorized emissions, and

(ii) Transmit on at least two working frequencies and receive on all other frequencies necessary for their service using authorized emissions, and

(iii) When a radiotelegraph installation is compulsory, a fourth frequency within this band which is authorized specifically for direction finding must also be provided.

(2) Each ship station using telegraphy on frequencies within the band 90-160 kHz must be capable of transmitting and receiving Class A1A emission on the frequency 143 kHz, and on at least two additional working frequencies within this band except that portion between 140 kHz and 146 kHz.

(3) Each ship station using telegraphy and operating in the bands between 4000-27500 kHz must be capable of transmitting and receiving Class A1A or J2A emission on at least one frequency authorized for calling and at least two frequencies authorized for working in each of the bands for which facilities are provided to carry on its service.

(4) Each ship station using telegraphy in Region 2 on frequencies within the band 2065-2107 kHz must be capable of transmitting and receiving Class A1A or J2A emission on at least one frequency in this band authorized for working in addition to a frequency in this hand authorized for calling.

(a) Except for compulsory vessels, each ship radiotelephone station licensed to operate in the band 1605-3500 kHz must be able to receive and transmit J3E emission on the frequency 2182 kHz. Ship stations are additionally authorized to receive and transmit H3E emission for communications with foreign coast stations and with vessels of foreign registry. If the station is used for other than safety communications, it must be capable also of receiving and transmitting the J3E emission on at least two other frequencies in that band. However, ship stations which operate exclusively on the Mississippi River and its connecting waterways, and on high frequency bands above 3500 kHz, need be equipped with 2182 kHz and one other frequency within the band 1605-3500 kHz. Additionally, use of A3E emission is permitted for distress and safety purposes on 2182 kHz for portable survival craft equipment also having the capability to operate on 500 kHz and for transmitters authorized for use prior to January 1, 1972.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, at least one VHF radiotelephone transmitter/receiver must be able to transmit and receive on the following frequencies:

(1) The distress, safety and calling frequency 156.800 MHz;

(2) The primary intership safety frequency 156.300 MHz;

(3) One or more working frequencies; and

(4) All other frequencies necessary for its service.

(c) Where a ship ordinarily has no requirement for VHF communications, handheld VHF equipment may be used solely to comply with the bridge-to-bridge navigational communication requirements contained in subpart U of this part.

Class C EPIRBs must be used for distress purposes only after use of the VHF/FM radiotelephone installation, in accordance with § 80.320, has proved unsuccessful or when a VHF/FM radiotelephone installation is not fitted, or when specifically requested to do so by a station engaged in search and rescue operations.

Shipboard General Purpose Watches§ 80.146Watch on 500 kHz.

During their hours of service, ship stations using frequencies in the authorized bands between 405-525 kHz must, remain on watch on 500 kHz except when the operator is transmitting on 500 kHz or operating on another frequency. The provisions of this section do not relieve the ship from complying with the requirements for a safety watch as prescribed in §§ 80.304 and 80.305.

§ 80.147Watch on 2182 kHz.

Ship stations must maintain a watch on 2182 kHz as prescribed by § 80.304(b).

§ 80.148Watch on 156.8 MHz (Channel 16).

At least one VHF ship station per compulsory vessel while underway must maintain a watch on 156.800 MHz whenever such station is not being used for exchanging communications. The watch is not required:

(a) Where a ship station is operating only with handheld bridge-to-bridge VHF radio equipment under § 80.143(c) of this part;

(b) For vessels subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act and participating in a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) system when the watch is maintained on both the bridge-to-bridge frequency and a separately assigned VTS frequency; or

(c) For a station on board a voluntary vessel equipped with digital selective calling (DSC) equipment, maintaining a continuous DSC watch on 156.525 MHz whenever such station is not being used for exchanging communications, and while such station is within the VHF service area of a U.S. Coast Guard radio facility which is DSC equipped.

(a) Any person receiving official notice of violation of the terms of the Communications Act, any legislative act, executive order, treaty to which the United States is a party, terms of a station or operator license, or the rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission must within 10 days from such receipt, send a written answer, in duplicate, to the office of the Commission originating the official notice. If an answer cannot be sent or an acknowledgment made within such 10-day period by reason of illness or other unavoidable circumstances, acknowledgment and answer must be made at the earliest practicable date with a satisfactory explanation of the delay. The answer to each notice must be complete in itself and must not be abbreviated by references to other communications or answers to other notices. The answer must contain a full explanation of the incident involved and must set forth the action taken to prevent a continuation or recurrence. If the notice relates to lack of attention to or improper operation of the station or to log or watch discrepancies, the answer must give the name and license number of the licensed operator on duty.

(b) When an official notice of violation, impending violation, or discrepancy, pertaining to any provision of Part II of Title III of the Communications Act or the radio provisions of the Safety Convention, is served upon the master or person responsible for a vessel and any instructions appearing on such document issued by a representative of the Commission are at variance with the content of paragraph (a) of this section, the instructions issued by the Commission's representative supersede those set forth in paragraph (a) of this section.

(a) Commercial radio operator licenses issued by the Commission are classified in accordance with the Radio Regulations of the International Telecommunication Union.

(b) The following licenses are issued by the Commission. International classification, if different from the license name, is given in parentheses. The licenses and their alphanumeric designator are listed in descending order.

(a) Except as provided in § 80.179, operation of a coast station transmitter must be performed by a person holding a commercial radio operator license of the required class, who is on duty at the control point of the station. The operator is responsible for the proper operation of the station.

(b) The minimum class of radio operator license required for operation of each specific classification of station is set forth below:

Minimum Operator LicensePublic coast telegraph, all classes—T-2.

—Manual Morse under supervision of T1 or T2—T-3.

—NB-DP under supervision of T1 or T2—T-3, G or MP.

Coast telephone, all classes—None.

(c) Special Operating Conditions: (1) When a coast telephone station of any class is used to transmit manual telegraphy the telegraph key operator must hold a third-class or higher radiotelegraph operator's license.

(2) An operational fixed station associated with a coast station may be operated by the operator of the associated coast station.

Except as provided in §§ 80.177 and 80.179, operation of transmitters of any ship station must be performed by a person holding a commercial radio operator license or permit of the class required below. The operator is responsible for the proper operation of the station.

[54 FR 10008, Mar. 9, 1989]§ 80.156Control by operator.

The operator on board ships required to have a holder of a commercial operator license or permit on board may, if authorized by the station licensee or master, permit an unlicensed person to modulate the transmitting apparatus for all modes of communication except Morse code radiotelegraphy.

[51 FR 34984, Oct. 1, 1986]§ 80.157Radio officer defined.

A radio officer means a person holding a first or second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate issued by the Commission who is employed to operate a ship radio station in compliance with Part II of Title III of the Communications Act. Such a person is also required to be licensed as a radio officer by the U.S. Coast Guard when employed to operate a ship radiotelegraph station.

[53 FR 46455, Nov. 17, 1988]§ 80.159Operator requirements of Title III of the Communications Act and the Safety Convention.

(a) Each telegraphy passenger ship equipped with a radiotelegraph station in accordance with Part II of Title III of the Communications Act must carry one radio officer holding a first or second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate and a second radio officer holding either a first or second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate. The holder of a second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate may not act as the chief radio officer.

(b) Each cargo ship equipped with a radiotelegraph station in accordance with Part II of Title III of the Communications Act and which has a radiotelegraph auto alarm must carry a radio officer holding a first or second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate who has had at least six months service as a radio officer on board U.S. ships. If the radiotelegraph station does not have an auto alarm, a second radio officer who holds a first or second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate must be carried.

(c) Each cargo ship equipped with a radiotelephone station in accordance with Part II of Title III of the Communications Act must carry a radio operator who meets the following requirements:

(1) Where the station power does not exceed 1500 watts peak envelope power, the operator must hold a marine radio operator permit or higher class license.

(2) Where the station power exceeds 1500 watts peak envelope power, the operator must hold a general radiotelephone radio operator license or higher class license.

(d) Each ship transporting more than six passengers for hire equipped with a radiotelephone station in accordance with Part III of Title III of the Communications Act must carry a radio operator who meets the following requirements:

(1) Where the station power does not exceed 250 watts carrier power or 1500 watts peak envelope power, the radio operator must hold a marine radio operator permit or higher class license.

(2) Where the station power exceeds 250 watts carrier power or 1500 watts peak envelope power, the radio operator must hold a general radiotelephone operator license or higher class license.

The operator of maritime radio equipment other than T-1, T-2, or G licensees, must not:

(a) Make equipment adjustments which may affect transmitter operation;

(b) Operate any transmitter which requires more than the use of simple external switches or manual frequency selection or transmitters whose frequency stability is not maintained by the transmitter itself.

§ 80.169Operators required to adjust transmitters or radar.

(a) All adjustments of radio transmitters in any radiotelephone station or coincident with the installation, servicing, or maintenance of such equipment which may affect the proper operation of the station, must be performed by or under the immediate supervision and responsibility of a person holding a first or second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate or a general radiotelephone operator license.

(b) Only persons holding a first or second class radiotelegraph operator certificate must perform such functions at radiotelegraph stations transmitting Morse code.

(c) Only persons holding an operator certificate containing a ship radar endorsement must perform such functions on radar equipment.

All operator licenses required by this subpart must be readily available for inspection.

§ 80.177When operator license is not required.

(a) No radio operator authorization is required to operate:

(1) A shore radar, a shore radiolocation, maritime support or shore radionavigation station;

(2) A survival craft station or an emergency position indicating radio beacon;

(3) A ship radar station if:

(i) The radar frequency is determined by a nontunable, pulse type magnetron or other fixed tuned device, and

(ii) The radar is capable of being operated exclusively by external controls;

(4) An on board station; or

(5) A ship station operating in the VHF band on board a ship voluntarily equipped with radio and sailing on a domestic voyage.

(b) No radio operator license is required to install a VHF transmitter in a ship station if the installation is made by, or under the supervision of, the licensee of the ship station and if modifications to the transmitter other than front panel controls are not made.

(d) No radio operator license is required to install a radar station on a voluntarily equipped ship when a manual is included with the equipment that provides step-by-step instructions for the installation, calibration, and operation of the radar. The installation must be made by, or under the supervision of, the licensee of that ship station and no modifications or adjustments other than to the front panel controls are to be made to the equipment.

(a) EPIRB operations when emergency conditions preclude attendance of the EPIRB transmitter by a person.

(b) Automatic use of a transmitter during narrow-band direct-printing (NB-DP) operations in accordance with § 80.219.

(c) Automatic use of a transmitter during selective calling operations in accordance with § 80.225.

(d) Automatic use of a transmitter when operating as part of the Automated Maritime Telecommunications System (AMTS), an automated multi-station system for which provisions are contained in this part, or an automated public coast station.

(e) Automatic use of a VHF transmitter to send brief digital communications relating to the condition or safety of vessels while moored when all of the following conditions are met:

(1) The equipment must be using DSC in accordance with CCIR Recommendations 493 and 541 as modified by this section.

(2) Sensors must automatically activate the transmitter only under one or more of the following conditions:

(i) Fire, explosion;

(ii) Flooding;

(iii) Collision;

(iv) Grounding;

(v) Listing, in danger of capsizing;

(vi) Sinking;

(vii) Disabled and adrift; and

(viii) Undesignated condition related to ship safety.

(3) The “ROUTINE” DSC category must be used.

(4) Communications must be selectively addressed to an individual station.

(5) Transmitter output power must not exceed one watt.

(6) The call must employ a fixed format and must be in conformity with Recommendation 493 as follows:

(7) Such transmissions are permitted only on channel 70 and the transmitter must be inhibited automatically whenever there is another call in progress on Channel 70.

(8) The call sequence for any one alarm must not be repeated until after an interval of at least five seconds. Further repetition is permitted only after intervals of at least fifteen minutes each. Repetitions following fifteen-minute waiting intervals must not exceed three.

This subpart gives the general technical requirements for the use of frequencies and equipment in the maritime services. These requirements include standards for equipment authorization, frequency tolerance, modulation, emission, power and bandwidth.

§ 80.203Authorization of transmitters for licensing.

(a) Each transmitter authorized in a station in the maritime services after September 30, 1986, except as indicated in paragraphs (g), (h) and (i) of this section, must be certificated by the Commission for part 80 operations. The procedures for certification are contained in part 2 of this chapter. Transmitters of a model authorized before October 1, 1986 will be considered type accepted for use in ship or coast stations as appropriate.

(b) The external controls, of maritime station transmitters capable of operation in the 156-162 MHz band and manufactured in or imported into the United States after August 1, 1990, or sold or installed after August 1, 1991, must provide for selection of only maritime channels for which the maritime station is authorized. Such transmitters must not be capable of being programmed by station operators using external controls to transmit on channels other than those programmed by the manufacturer, service or maintenance personnel.

(1) Any manufacturer procedures and special devices for programming must only be made available to service companies employing licensed service and maintenance personnel that meet the requirements of § 80.169(a) and must not be made available with information normally provided to consumers.

(2) The channels preprogrammed by manufacturers, service and maintenance personnel for selection by the external controls of a maritime station transmitter must be limited to those channels listed in this part and the duplex channels listed in Appendix 18 of the international Radio Regulations. The duplex channels listed in Appendix 18 of the international Radio Regulations must be used only in the specified duplex mode. Simplex operations on Appendix 18 duplex channels that are not in accordance with this part are prohibited.

(3) Programming of authorized channels must be performed only by a person holding a first or second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate or a general radiotelephone operator's license using any of the following procedures:

(i) Internal adjustment of the transmitter;

(ii) Use of controls normally inaccessible to the station operator;

(iii) Use of external devices or equipment modules made available only to service and maintenance personnel through a service company; and

(iv) Copying of a channel selection program directly from another transmitter (cloning) using devices and procedures made available only to service and maintenance personnel through a service company.

(4) VHF maritime radio station transmitters capable of being programmed by station operators by means of external controls that are installed in a maritime station by August 1, 1991, are authorized for use indefinitely at the same maritime station.

(c) All VHF ship station transmitters that are either manufactured in or imported into the United States, on or after August 1, 1993, or are initially installed on or after August 1, 1994, must be equipped with an automatic timing device that deactivates the transmitter and reverts the transmitter to the receive mode after an uninterrupted transmission period of five minutes, plus or minus 10 per cent. Additionally, such transmitters must have a device that indicates when the automatic timer has deactivated the transmitter. VHF ship station transmitters initially installed before August 1, 1994, are authorized for use indefinitely at the same maritime station. VHF hand-held, portable transmitters are not required to comply with the requirements in paragraph (c) of this section except when used as described in § 80.141.

(d) Except for radar equipment, applicants for certification of radio equipment designed to satisfy Part II of Title III of the Communications Act or the Safety Convention must also submit with their application a working unit of the type for which certification is desired. Manufacturers of radar equipment intended for installation on voluntarily equipped ships by persons without FCC operators license must include with their equipment authorization application a manual that provides step-by-step procedures for the installation, calibration, and operation of the radar stations.

(e) Double sideband (DSB) radiotelephone equipment operating in the 1605-27500 kHz band will be authorized only for use in ship stations. Such equipment must comply with Chapter IV of the Safety Convention, operate only on the frequency 2182 kHz, and be marked “Distress and Safety Use Only”.

(f) Transmitters certificated for single sideband suppressed carrier radiotelephone transmissions may be used for facsimile transmissions without filing for a certification modification provided the transmitters retain certification and comply with the applicable standards in this part.

(g) Manufacturers of ship earth station transmitters intended for use in the INMARSAT space segment must comply with the verification procedures given in part 2 of this chapter. Such equipment must be verified in accordance with the technical requirements provided by INMARSAT and must be type approved by INMARSAT for use in the INMARSAT space segment. The ship earth station input/output parameters, the data obtained when the equipment is integrated in system configuration and the pertinent method of test procedures that are used for type approval of the station model which are essential for the compatible operation of that station in the INMARSAT space segment must be disclosed by the manufacturer upon request of the FCC or the United States Signatory. Witnessing of the type approval tests and the disclosure of the ship earth station equipment design or any other information of a proprietary nature will be at the discretion of the ship earth station manufacturer. Transmitters of a model that was certificated by MARISAT for use in its system will be considered verified for use in the INMARSAT system. However, the continued use of such equipment will not be permitted after September 1, 1991, unless verified under the Commission's procedures.

(h) In addition to the certification requirements contained in part 2 of this chapter applicants for type acceptance of 406.025 MHz radiobeacons must also comply with the certification procedures contained in § 80.1061 of this part.

(i) Certification is not required for U.S. Government furnished transmitters to fulfill a U.S. Government contract. However, such transmitters must comply with all technical requirements in this part.

(j) Certification is not required for transmitters authorized for developmental stations.

(k) Certification of individual radio transmitters requested by station applicants or licensees must also follow the certification procedure in paragraph (a) of this section. However, operation of such transmitters must be limited to the specific units individually identified on the station authorization.

(l) Ship station transmitters may be certificated for emissions not shown in § 80.205 of this part. However, such emissions are not authorized for use in the United States or for communications with U.S. coast stations.

(m) Ship station MF, HF, and VHF transmitters may employ external or internal devices to send synthesized voice transmissions for distress and safety purposes on any distress and safety frequency authorized for radiotelephony listed in § 80.369 provided the following requirements are met:

(1) The technical characteristics of the distress transmissions must comply with this part.

(2) A transmitter and any internal device capable of transmitting a synthesized voice message must be certificated as an integral unit.

(3) The synthesized voice distress transmission must begin with the words “this is a recording” and should be comprised of at least:

(i) the radiotelephone distress call as described in § 80.315(b) and the ship's position as described in § 80.316(c); or

(ii) the radiotelephone distress message as described in § 80.316(b). If available, the ship's position should be reported as described in § 80.316(c).

(4) Such transmission must be initiated manually by an off-switch that is protected from inadvertent activation and must cause the transmitter to switch to an appropriate distress and safety frequency. The radiotelephone distress call and message described in §§ 80.203(m)(3) (i) and (ii), respectively, may be repeated. However, the entire transmission including repeats must not exceed 45 seconds from beginning to end. Upon ending the transceiver must return to the receive mode and must not be capable of sending the synthesized distress call for at least thirty seconds. Placing the switch to the off position must stop the distress transmission and permit the transmitter to be used to send and receive standard voice communications.

(5) Use of the microphone must cause the synthesized voice distress transmission to cease and allow the immediate use of the transmitter for sending and receiving standard voice communications.

(n) Applications for type acceptance of all marine radio transmitters operating in the 2-27.5 MHz band or the 156-162 MHz band received on or after June 17, 1999, must have a DSC capability in accordance with § 80.225. This requirement does not apply to transmitters used with AMTS or hand-held portable transmitters.

(a) An emission designator shows the necessary bandwidth for each class of emission of a station except that in ship earth stations it shows the occupied or necessary bandwidth, whichever is greater. The following table gives the class of emission and corresponding emission designator and authorized bandwidth:

(a) Authorization to use radiotelephone and radiotelegraph emissions by ship and coast stations includes the use of digital selective calling and selective calling techniques in accordance with § 80.225.

(b) In radiotelegraphy communications employing a modulated carrier the carrier must be keyed and modulated by an audio frequency.

(c) Authorization to use single sideband emission is limited to emitting a carrier;

(1) For full carrier transmitters at a power level between 3 and 6 dB below peak envelope power;

(2) For suppressed carrier transmitters at a power level at least 40 dB below peak envelope power; and

(a) The frequency tolerance requirements applicable to transmitters in the maritime services are shown in the following table. Tolerances are given as parts in 106 unless shown in Hz.

Frequency bands and categories of stationsTolerances1(1) Band 100-525 kHz:(i) Coast stations:For single sideband emissions 20 Hz.For transmitters with narrow-band direct printing and data emissions 10 Hz.2For transmitters with digital selective calling emissions 10 Hz.For all other emissions 100(ii) Ship stations:For transmitters with single sideband emissions approved before November 30, 1977 20 Hz.For transmitters with other emissions approved before November 30, 1977 1000.5For transmitters with narrow-band direct printing and data emissions 10 Hz.2For transmitters with digital selective calling emissions 10 Hz.3For all other transmitters approved after November 29, 1977 20 Hz.(iii) Ship stations for emergency only:For transmitters approved before November 30, 1977 3000.5For all transmitters approved after November 29, 1977 20 Hz.(iv) Survival craft stations:For transmitters approved before November 30, 1977 5000.5For transmitters approved after November 29, 1977 20 Hz.(v) Radiodetermination stations:For all emissions 100.(2) Band 1600-4000 kHz:(i) Coast Stations and Alaska fixed stations:For single sideband and facsimile 20 Hz.For narrow-band direct-printing and data emissions 10 Hz.2For digital selective calling emissions 10 Hz.For all other emissions 50.(ii) Ship stations:For transmitters with narrow-band direct printing and data emissions 10 Hz.2For transmitters with digital selective calling emissions 10 Hz.3For all other transmitters 20 Hz.(iii) Survival craft stations:20 Hz.(iv) Radiodetermination stations:With power 200W or less 20.With power above 200W 10.(3) Band 4000-27500 kHz:(i) Coast stations and Alaska fixed stations:For single sideband and facsimile emissions 20 Hz.For narrow-band direct printing and data emissions 10 Hz.2For digital selective calling emissions 10 Hz.For Morse telegraphy emissions 10.For all other emissions 15.(ii) Ship stations:For transmitters with narrow-band direct printing and data emissions 10 Hz.2For transmitters with digital selective calling emissions 10 Hz.3For all other transmitters 20 Hz.(iii) Survival craft stations: 50 Hz.(4) Band 72-76 MHz:(i) Fixed stations:Operating in the 72.0-73.0 and 75.4-76.0 MHz bands 5.Operating in the 73.0-74.6 MHz band 50.(5) Band 156-162 MHz:(i) Coast stations:For stations licensed to operate with a carrier power:Below 3 watts 10.3 to 100 watts 7 5.(ii) Ship stations 10.4(iii) Survival craft stations operating on 121.500 MHz 50.(iv) EPIRBs:Operating on 121.500 and 243.000 MHz 50.Operating on 156.750 and 156.800 MHz 610.(6) Band 216-220 MHz(i) Coast Stations:For all emissions 5.(ii) Ship stations:For all emissions 5.(7) Band 400-466 MHz:(i) EPIRBs operating on 406.025 MHz 5.(ii) On-board stations 5.(iii) Radiolocation and telecommand stations 5.(8) Band 1626.5-1646.5 MHz:(i) Ship earth stations 5.1 Transmitters authorized prior to January 2, 1990, with frequency tolerances equal to or better than those required after this date will continue to be authorized in the maritime services provided they retain approval and comply with the applicable standards in this part.2 The frequency tolerance for narrow-band direct printing and data transmitters installed before January 2, 1992, is 15 Hz for coast stations and 20 Hz for ship stations. The frequency tolerance for narrow-band direct printing and data transmitters approved or installed after January 1, 1992, is 10 Hz.3 Until February 2, 1999, the frequency tolerance for DSC ship station transmitters in the MF and HF bands that were installed before January 2, 1992, is 20 Hz. The frequency tolerance for DSC ship station transmitters in the MF and HF bands type accepted or installed after January 1, 1992, is 10 Hz. After February 1, 1999, the frequency tolerance for all DSC ship station transmitters in the MF and HF bands (regardless of installation date) is 10 Hz.4 For transmitters in the radiolocation and associated telecommand service operating on 154.585 MHz, 159.480 MHz, 160.725 MHz and 160.785 MHz the frequency tolerance is 15 parts in 106.5 This frequency tolerance applies to ship station transmitters until February 1, 1999. Thereafter, the frequency tolerance is 20 Hz.6 Class C EPIRB stations may not be used after February 1, 1999.7 For transmitters operated at private coast stations with antenna heights less than 6 meters (20 feet) above ground and output power of 25 watts or less the frequency tolerance is 10 parts in 10.6

(b) When pulse modulation is used in land and ship radar stations operating in the bands above 2.4 GHz the frequency at which maximum emission occurs must be within the authorized bandwidth and must not be closer than 1.5/T MHz to the upper and lower limits of the authorized bandwidth where “T” is the pulse duration in microseconds. In the band 14.00-14.05 GHz the center frequency must not vary more than 10 MHz from 14.025 GHz.

(c) For stations in the maritime radiodetermination service, other than ship radar stations, the authorized frequency tolerance will be specified on the license when it is not specified in this part.

(6) 125 dB outside above range, except for harmonics which must comply with (b)(3) of this section.

(d) The mean power of emissions from radiotelephone survival craft transmitters, 9 GHz search and rescue transponders, and radiotelegraph survival craft transmitters must be attenuated below the mean output power of the transmitter as follows:

(1) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 50 percent, up to and including 100 percent of the authorized bandwidth: at least 25 dB;

(2) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 100 percent of the authorized bandwidth: at least 30 dB.

(e) The mean power of EPIRBs operating on 121.500 MHz, 243.000 MHz and 406.025 MHz must be as follows:

(1) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 50 percent, up to and including 100 percent of the authorized bandwidth: At least 25 dB;

(2) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 100 percent: at least 30 dB.

(f) The mean power when using emissions other than those in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this section:

(1) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 50 percent up to and including 100 percent of the authorized bandwidth: At least 25 dB;

(2) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 100 percent up to and including 250 percent of the authorized bandwidth: At least 35 dB; and

(3) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 250 percent of the authorized bandwidth: At least 43 plus 10log10 (mean power in watts) dB.

(g) Developmental stations must conform to the standards for regular authorized stations.

(1) When double sideband emission is used the peak modulation must be maintained between 75 and 100 percent;

(2) When phase or frequency modulation is used in the 156-162 MHz and 216-220 MHz bands the peak modulation must be maintained between 75 and 100 percent. A frequency deviation of ±5 kHz is defined as 100 percent peak modulation; and

(3) In single sideband operation the upper sideband must be transmitted. Single sideband transmitters must automatically limit the peak envelope power to their authorized operating power and meet the requirements in § 80.207(c).

(b) Radiotelephone transmitters using A3E, F3E and G3E emission must have a modulation limiter to prevent any modulation over 100 percent. This requirement does not apply to survival craft transmitters, to transmitters that do not require a license or to transmitters whose output power does not exceed 3 watts.

(c) Coast station transmitters operated in the 72.0-73.0 MHz and 75.4-76.0 MHz bands must be equipped with an audio low-pass filter. The filter must be installed between the modulation limiter and the modulated radio frequency stage. At frequencies between 3 kHz and 15 kHz it must have an attenuation greater than at 1 kHz by at least 40log10 (f/3) dB where “f” is the frequency in kilohertz. At frequencies above 15 kHz the attenuation must be at least 28 dB greater than at 1 kHz.

(d) Ship and coast station transmitters operating in the 156-162 MHz and 216-220 MHz bands must be capable of proper operation with a frequency deviation of ±5 kHz when using any emission authorized by § 80.207.

(e) Coast station transmitters operated in the 156-162 MHz band must be equipped with an audio low-pass filter. The filter must be installed between the modulation limiter and the modulated radio frequency stage. At frequencies between 3 kHz and 20 kHz it must have an attenuation greater than at 1 kHz by at least 60log10(f/3) dB where “f” is the audio frequency in kilohertz. At frequencies above 20 kHz the attenuation must be at least 50 dB greater than at 1 kHz.

(f) Radiodetermination ship stations operating on 154.585 MHz, 159.480 MHz, 160.725 MHz, 160.785 MHz, 454.000 MHz and 459.000 MHz must employ a duty cycle with a maximum transmission period of 60 seconds followed by a minimum quiescent period four times the duration of the transmission period.

(g) Radar stations operating in the bands above 2.4 GHz may use any type of modulation consistent with the bandwidth requirements in § 80.209(b).

(h) Radar transponder coast stations using the 2920-3100 MHz or 9320-9500 MHz band must operate in a variable frequency mode and respond on their operating frequencies with a maximum error equivalent to 100 meters. Additionally, their response must be encoded with a Morse character starting with a dash. The duration of a Morse dot is defined as equal to the width of a space and 1/3 of the width of a Morse dash. The duration of the response code must not exceed 50 microseconds. The sensitivity of the stations must be adjustable so that received signals below −10 dBm at the antenna will not activate the transponder. Antenna polarization must be horizontal when operating in the 9320-9500 MHz band and either horizontal or both horizontal and vertical when operating in the 2920-3100 MHz band. Racons using frequency agile transmitting techniques must include circuitry designed to reduce interference caused by triggering from radar antenna sidelobes.

(i) Variable frequency ship station transponders operating in the 2920-3100 MHz or 9320-9500 MHz band that are not used for search and rescue purposes must meet the following requirements:

(1) Non-selectable transponders must have the following characteristics:

(i) They must respond on all their frequencies with a maximum range error equivalent to 100 meters;

(ii) They must use a Morse encoding of “PS” (dot-dash-dash-dot, dot-dot-dot), meaning “You should not come any closer”. The width of a Morse dot is defined as equal to the width of a space and 1/3 of the width of a Morse dash;

(iii) When they employ swept frequency techniques they must not transmit on any frequency for more than 10 seconds in any 120 second period;

(iv) Any range offset of their response must occur during their pause on the fixed frequency;

(v) The duration of the response code must not exceed 50 microseconds;

(vi) The sensitivity of the stations must be adjustable so that received signals below −10 dBm at the antenna input will not activate the transponder;

(vii) Antenna polarization must be horizontal when operating in the 9320-9500 MHz band and either horizontal or both horizontal and vertical when operating in the 2920-3100 MHz band.

(viii) Transponders using frequency agile techniques must include circuitry designed to reduce interference caused by triggering from radar antenna sidelobes.

(2) Selectable transponders must be authorized under part 5 of the Commission's rules until standards for their use are developed.

(j) The transmitted signals of search and rescue transponders must cause to appear on a radar display a series of at least 20 equally spaced dots.

(k) The modulation requirements for EPIRB's are contained in subpart V.

8 Certification based on a carrier power of 4 watts with transmitter connected to a dummy load of matching impedance. The effective radiated power must not exceed 2 watts.

(4) Ship earth stations 1626.5-1646.5 MHz 9

9 See paragraph (k) of this section.

(5) Ship radar stations with F3N emission—200 mW

(6) EPIRB—121.500 and 243.00 MHz 10

10 See subpart V of this part.

(7) EPIRB—156.750 and 156.800 MHz 10

(f) Fixed stations. The maximum power must not exceed the values+ listed below.

(1) Maritime support (receiver test):

R3E and J3C emission—150WF3E emission—50W

(2) Operational fixed: 72-76 MHz and above 162 MHz 11

11 See paragraph (l) of this section.

(3) Alaska—Private fixed:12

12 The frequencies 156.375 MHz and 156.650 MHz are primarily intership frequencies. When authorized for coast stations on a secondary basis, the normal output power must not exceed 1 watt and the maximum output power must not exceed 10 watts.

10-200 kHz—650W405-525 kHz—265W1605-12000 kHz—150W

(4) Alaska—Public fixed:

405-525 kHz—1kW1605-12000 kHz—1kW

(g) The carrier power of ship station radiotelephone transmitters, except portable transmitters, operating in the 156-162 MHz band must be at least 8 but not more than 25 watts. Transmitters that use 12 volt lead acid storage batteries as a primary power source must be measured with a primary voltage between 12.2 and 13.7 volts DC. Additionally, unless otherwise indicated, equipment in radiotelephone ship stations operating in the 156-162 MHz band must meet the following requirements:

(1) All transmitters must be capable of reducing the carrier power to one watt or less;

(2) All remote control units that are used with transmitters manufactured after August 31, 1979, or installed after February 29, 1980, must be capable of causing the carrier power to be reduced to one watt or less;

(3) Except as indicated in (4) of this paragraph, all transmitters manufactured after January 21, 1987, or in use after January 21, 1997, must automatically reduce the carrier power to one watt or less when the transmitter is tuned to 156.375 MHz or 156.650 MHz, and must be provided with a manual override switch which when held by an operator will permit full carrier power operation on 156.375 MHz and 156.650 MHz;

(4) Hand-held portable transmitters are not required to comply with the automatic reduction of carrier power in (g)(3) of this section; and

(5) Transmitters dedicated for use on public correspondence duplex channels as additional equipment to a VHF ship station in the Great Lakes which meet all pertinent rules in this part are not required to reduce their carrier power to one watt.

(h) Coast stations in an AMTS may radiate as follows, subject to the condition that no harmful interference will be caused to television reception except that TV services authorized subsequent to the filing of the AMTS station application will not be protected.

(1) When located more than 169 kilometers (105 miles) from the antenna of a Channel 13 TV station and more than 129 kilometers (80 miles) from the antenna of a channel 10 station, the ERP of coast stations having an antenna height of 61 meters (200 feet) or less above ground must not exceed 1000 watts.

(2) Coast stations located less than 169 kilometers (105 miles) from a Channel 13 TV station, or less than 129 kilometers (80 miles) from a channel 10 station or when using a transmitting antenna height above ground greater than 61 meters (200 feet), must submit a plan to limit interference to TV reception. The plan must include:

(i) A description of the interference contour with indentification of the method used to determine this contour; and

(ii) A statement concerning the number of residences within the interference contour. The interference contour includes only areas inside the TV grade B contour with the latter determined assuming maximum permissible TV antenna height and power for broadcast stations and the actual facility parameters for translators and low power TV stations. See part 73, subpart E of this chapter for further information on TV grade B contour determination.

(3) When located as described in paragraph (h)(2) of this section, the coast station (or stations affecting the same TV Grade B contour) will be authorized if the applicant's plan has limited the interference contour(s) to fewer than 100 residences or if the applicant:

(i) Shows that the proposed site is the only suitable location;

(ii) Develops a plan to control any interference caused to TV reception within the Grade B contour from its operations; and

(iii) Agrees to make such adjustments in the TV receivers affected as may be necessary to eliminate interference caused by its operations.

(4) The applicant must eliminate any interference caused by its operation to TV reception within the Grade B contour that might develop within 90 days of the time it is notified in writing by the Commission. If this interference is not removed within the 90-day period, operation of the coast station must be discontinued. The licensee is expected to help resolve all complaints of interference, whether inside or outside the Grade B contour.

(5) The transmitter output power must be 50 watts or less.

(i) A ship station must have a transmitter output power not exceeding 25 watts and an ERP not exceeding 18 watts. The transmitter must include the capability to reduce the carrier power to 2.5 watts with a front panel control. The maximum transmitter output power is permitted to be increased to 50 watts under the following conditions:

(1) Increases exceeding 25 watts are made only by radio command from the controlling coast stations; and

(2) The application for an equipment authorization demonstrates that the transmitter output power is 25 watts or less when external radio commands are not present.

(j) A ship installation with a transmitter output power exceeding 25 watts under the conditions of paragraph (i) of this section is exempted from the limitation of 18 watts ERP when operating in specific geographical areas identified in a plan for the use of higher power.

(k) Within the 1626.5-1646.5 MHz band the maximum e.i.r.p by a ship earth station in any direction in the horizontal plane or in the direction of the space station must not exceed +40 dB relative to one watt in any 4 kHz band in the main beam, except upon a satisfactory showing of need for greater power, in which case a maximum of +55 dB relative to one watt may be authorized.

(l) For operational fixed stations using frequencies in the 72-76 MHz band and for other classes of stations operating above 162.025 MHz, the transmitter power must be specified in the station authorization. Frequencies in the 72-76 MHz band are listed in § 80.381. The operational requirements for 72-76 MHz are contained in subpart L of this part.

(n) For radiodetermination stations operating above 2400 MHz the output power must be as follows:

(1) For radar stations that use F3N emission the mean output power must not exceed 200 milliwatts;

(2) For search and rescue stations the output power must be at least 400 milliwatts peak e.i.r.p.

(3) For all other transponder stations the output power must not exceed 20 watts peak e.i.r.p. Licensees of non-selectable transponder coast stations operating in the 2920-3100 MHz and 9320-9500 MHz bands must notify in writing the USCG District Commander of any incremental increase of their station's output power above 5 watts peak e.i.r.p.

NB-DP and data transmission equipment installed in ship and coast stations before October 1, 1990, that operates on the frequencies in the 4,000-27,500 kHz bands must be capable of operation in accordance with the technical requirements of either CCIR Recommendation 476 or CCIR Recommendation 625 and may be used indefinitely. Equipment installed on or after October 1, 1990, must be capable of operation in accordance with the technical requirements of CCIR Recommendation 625. NB-DP and data transmission equipment are additionally permitted to utilize any modulation, so long as emissions are within the limits set forth in § 80.211(f) and the equipment is also capable of operation in accordance with CCIR recommendation 625.

(a) Each device for automatically generating the radiotelephone alarm signal must be capable of being disabled to permit the immediate transmission of a distress call and message.

(b) The device must comply with the following requirements:

(1) The frequency tolerance of each tone must be ±1.5 percent;

(2) The duration tolerance of each tone must be ±50 milliseconds;

(3) The interval between successive tones must not exceed 50 milliseconds; and

(4) The amplitude ratio of the tones must be flat within 1.6 dB.

(c) Devices installed on or after January 1, 1983, must comply with the following requirements:

(1) The frequency tolerance of each tone must be ±1.5 percent;

(2) The duration tolerance of each tone must be ±10 milliseconds;

(3) The interval between successive tones must not exceed 4 milliseconds;

(4) The amplitude ratio of the tones must be flat within 1.6 dB;

(5) The output of the device must be sufficient to modulate the associated transmitter for H2B emission to at least 70 percent, and for J2B emission to within 3 dB of the rated peak envelope power;

(6) Light from the device must not interfere with the safe navigation of the ship;

(7) After activation the device must automatically generate the radiotelephone alarm signal for not less than 30 seconds and not more than 60 seconds unless manually interrupted;

(8) After generating the radiotelephone alarm signal or after manual interruption the device must be immediately ready to repeat the signal;

(9) The transmitter must be automatically switched from the stand-by condition to the transmit condition at the start and return to the stand-by condition at the conclusion of the radiotelephone alarm signal.

(d) Any device used by a station to automatically generate the radiotelephone alarm signal must be certificated by the Commission.

(1) 500 kHz must be able to operate with class A2A and A2B or H2A and H2B emissions;

(2) 2182 kHz must be able to operate with A2B and A3E or H2B and H3E and J2B and J3E emissions;

(3) 8364 kHz must be able to operate with class A2A or H2A emission; and

(4) 121.500 MHz must be able to operate with A3E or A3N emission.

(b) Survival craft stations must be able to receive the frequency and types of emission which the transmitter is capable of using. Where the transmitter frequency is 8364 kHz the receiver must be able to receive A1A, A2A and H2A emissions throughout the 8320-8745 kHz band.

(c) Survival craft transmitters operating on 500 kHz or on 8364 kHz must be able to be manually keyed. If provisions are made for automatically transmitting the radiotelegraph alarm signal or the radiotelegraph distress signal, such provisions must meet the requirements in subpart F of this part.

(d) Any EPIRB carried as part of a survival craft station must comply with the specific technical and performance requirements for its class contained in subpart V of this chapter.

This section specifies the requirements for voluntary digital selective calling (DSC) equipment and selective calling equipment installed in ship and coast stations. Reference to any CCIR Recommendation in this section is to the most recent CCIR approved Recommendation that does not prevent the use of existing equipment.

(a) DSC equipment voluntarily installed in coast or ship stations must meet either the requirements of CCIR Recommendation 493 (including only equipment classes A, B, D, and E) or RTCM Paper 56-95/SC101-STD. DSC equipment must not be used with the sensors referred to in § 80.179(e)(2). DSC equipment used on compulsorily fitted ships must meet the requirements contained in subpart W for GMDSS.

(b) Manufacturers of Class C DSC equipment to be used on United States vessels must affix a clearly discernible permanent plate or label visible from the operating controls containing the following:

Warning.

This equipment is designed to generate a digital maritime distress and safety signal to facilitate search and rescue. To be effective as a safety device, this equipment must be used only within communication range of a shore-based VHF marine channel 70 distress and safety watch system. The range of the signal may vary but under normal conditions should be approximately 20 nautical miles.

(c) Selective calling equipment, other than that designed in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, is authorized as follows:

(1) Equipment used in conjunction with the Automated Maritime Telecommunications System (AMTS) in the band 216-220 MHz,

(2) Equipment used to perform a selective calling function during narrow-band direct-printing (NB-DP) operations in accordance with CCIR Recommendation 476 or 625, and

(3) Equipment functioning under the provisions of § 80.207(a) includes the brief use of radiotelegraphy, including keying only the modulating audio frequency, tone signals, and other signalling devices to establish or maintain communications provided that:

(i) These signalling techniques are not used on frequencies designated for general purpose digital selective calling (DSC) and distress and safety DSC calling as listed in § 80.359;

(ii) The authorized radiotelephone emission bandwidth is not exceeded;

(iii) Documentation of selective calling protocols must be available to the general public; and,

(iv) Harmful interference is not caused to stations operating in accordance with the International Radio Regulations.

As part of the information provided with transmitters for ship earth stations, manufacturers of each such unit must include installation and operating instructions to help prevent human exposure to radiofrequency (RF) radiation in excess of the RF exposure guidelines specified in § 1.1307(b) of the Commission's Rules.

Brief signalling for the purposes of measuring the quality of a radio channel and thereafter establishing communication shall be permitted within the 2 MHz-30 MHz band. Public coast stations providing high seas service are authorized by rule to use such signalling under the following conditions:

(a) The transmitter power shall not exceed 100 W ERP;

(b) Transmissions must sweep linearly in frequency at a rate of at least 60 kHz per second, occupying any 3 kHz bandwidth for less than 50 milliseconds;

(c) The transmitter shall scan the band no more than four times per hour;

(d) Transmissions within 6 kHz of the following protected frequencies and frequency bands must not exceed 10 mW peak ERP:

(e) The instantaneous signal, which refers to the peak power that would be measured with the frequency sweep stopped, along with spurious emissions generated from the sweeping signal, must be attenuated below the peak carrier power (in watts) as follows:

(1) On any frequency more than 5 Hz from the instantaneous carrier frequency, at least 3 dB;

(2) On any frequency more than 250 Hz from the instantaneous carrier frequency, at least 40 dB; and

(3) On any frequency more than 7.5 kHz from the instantaneous carrier frequency, at least 43 + 10log10 (peak power in watts) db.

(a) This subpart gives the general technical requirements for certification of equipment used on compulsory ships. Such equipment includes radiotelegraph transmitters, radiotelegraph auto alarms, automatic-alarm-signal keying devices, survival craft radio equipment, watch receivers, and radar.

(b) The equipment described in this subpart must be certificated.

(c) The term transmitter means the transmitter unit and all auxiliary equipment necessary to make this unit operate as a main or emergency transmitter in a ship station at sea. Each separate motor-generator, rectifier, or other unit required to convert the ship primary power to the phase, frequency, or voltage necessary to energize the transmitter unit is considered a component of the transmitter.

(d) Average ship station antenna means an actual antenna installed on board ship having a capacitance of 750 picofarads and an effective resistance of 4 ohms at a frequency of 500 kHz, or an artificial antenna having the same electrical characteristics.

(a) The following table gives the operating carrier frequency, emission, modulation and average ship station antenna power requirements for the main transmitter.

Operating frequency (kHz)Frequency toleranceParts 1 in 10 6Hz 2Class of emissionPercentage modulation for amplitude modulationModulation frequency for amplitude modulationPower into average ship station antenna500 kHz1,00020A2A and A2B or H2A and H2BNot less than 70; not more than 100At least 1 frequency between 300 and 1250 Hertz, except for transmittal installed after July 1, 1951, at least 1 frequency between 450 and 1250 HertzNot less than 200 watts.Do1,00020A1A or J2ANot less than 160 watts.410 and 2 working frequencies in the band 415 to 5251,00020A2A and A3N or H2A and H3NNot less than 70; not more than 100At least 1 frequency between 300 and 1250 Hertz, except for transmitters installed after July 1, 1951, at least 1 frequency between 450 and 1250 HertzNot less than 200 watts.Do1,00020A1A and N0N or J2A and J3NNot less than 160 watts.1 For equipment approved before November 30, 1977.2 For equipment approved after November 29, 1977.

(b) A main transmitter must operate at its required antenna power when adjusted to any required operating frequency and energized by the main power supply of the ship station or by an equivalent power supply.

(c) A main transmitter must be equipped to measure (1) antenna current, (2) transmitter power supply voltages, and (3) anode or collector current(s).

(d) The antenna power must be determined at the operating carrier frequency by the product of the antenna resistance and the square of the average antenna current, both measured at the same point in the antenna circuit at approximately ground potential.

(e) A main transmitter producing more than 250 watts output power must have the output power reduced to not more than 150 watts when used for telegraphy. In stations where a separate telegraph transmitter operable on the same frequencies as the main transmitter with an output power of less than 250 watts, is installed, the power reduction requirement does not apply. Such separate transmitters must not obtain power from the emergency power supply.

(a) The following table describes the operating carrier frequency, emission, modulation and average ship station antenna power requirements for the reserve transmitter.

Operating frequency (kHz)Frequency toleranceParts 1 in 10 6Hz 2Class of emissionPercentage modulation for amplitude modulationModulation for frequency for amplitude modulationPower into an average ship station antenna500 3 1,000 20 A2A and A2B or H2A and H2B Not less than 70; not more 100 At least 1 frequency between 300 and 1250 Hertz except for transmitters installed after July 1, 1951, at least 1 frequency between 450 and 1250 Hertz Not less than 25 watts.410 and 1 working frequency in the band 415 to 525 3 1,000 20 A2A and A3N or H2A and H3N ......do ......do ......do1 For equipment approved before November 30, 1977.2 For equipment approved after November 29, 1977.3 Except for reserve transmitters whose use is confined solely to safety communications. Such transmitters must maintain a frequency tolerance of 3000 parts in 10.6

(b) A reserve transmitter must operate at its required antenna power when adjusted to the operating frequency and energized by the reserve power supply of the ship station or by an equivalent power supply.

(c) A reserve transmitter must be equipped to measure antenna current.

(d) The antenna power must be determined at the operating carrier frequency by the product of the antenna resistance and the square of the average antenna current both measured at the same point in the antenna circuit at approximately gound potential.

(i) The receiver must reject signals +106 dB above one microvolt at ±150 kHz from the center frequency and +88 dB above one microvolt at ±40 kHz from the center frequency.

(ii) The receiver must respond to signals from 100 microvolts to 1 volt on the center frequency. There must be less than 6 dB variation in sensitivity from 496 kHz through 504 kHz.

(2) A device capable of selecting the alarm signal specified under § 80.259 (a) and (b).

(3) A minimum of 3 audible alarm units to meet the three location installation requirements of § 80.259(g).

(4) A testing device to determine locally that the auto alarm system is operative.

(b) The auto alarm may be constructed in one or more units but must be independent of the ship's regular radio receiving apparatus.

(c) A telephone jack must be provided to permit reception by a telephone receiver.

(d) Tuning and timing controls must not be accessible from the exterior of the device.

(e) Once set into operation the audible alarms must continue to function until switches off in the principal radiotelegraph operating room.

(f) A nonlocking or momentary-throw switch must be provided to permit temporary disconnection of the audible alarm on the bridge and in the operator's quarters when the auto alarm system is being tested.

(g) A failure of the auto alarm power supply must activate the audible alarms.

(h) The auto alarm must operate within specifications throughout the temperature range 0-50 degrees Celsius at relative humidities as high as 95%.

(i) The auto alarm must be protected from excessive currents, power supply reversals and voltage variations which could cause damage to any component.

(j) The auto alarm must be capable of operating when subjected to vibrations having a frequency between 20 and 30 Hertz and an amplitude of 0.76 mm (0.03 inch) in a direction at an angle of 30 to 45 degrees with the base of the auto alarm.

(a) For certification the auto alarm in the absence of interference must be capable of being operated by four consecutive dashes whose length may vary from 6.0 to 3.5 seconds and the intervening spaces vary between 1.5 seconds to 10 milliseconds. These types of auto alarms must not respond to dashes longer than 6.31 seconds or shorter than 3.33 seconds nor to intervening spaces longer than 1.58 seconds or shorter than 5 milliseconds except as follows:

(1) Non-digital types employing resistance-capacitance timing, approved before October 1, 1969, and placed in service on or before January 1, 1985, must not respond to dashes longer than 7.40 seconds or shorter than 2.80 seconds, nor to space intervals longer than 1.80 seconds or shorter than 5 milliseconds.

(2) Digital types employing a stable clock as the basic timing device, approved before May 1, 1968, and placed in service on or before December 1, 1975, may accept dashes whose lower limits extends down to 3.0 seconds.

(b) The auto alarm must operate with a signal of 100 microvolts RMS at 500 kHz applied to an artificial antenna consisting of a 20 microhenry inductance, a 500 picofarad capacitor, and a 5 ohm resistor connected in series in the absence of any interference and without manual adjustment. It must be capable of operation under these conditions on the following classes of emission:

(1) A1B;

(2) A2B with a carrier modulated at any modulation percentage from 30 through 100 percent with any modulation frequency from 300 through 1350 Hertz; and

(3) H2B with a carrier keyed and emitted at any power level from 3 through 6 decibels below peak envelope power, with any modulation frequency from 300 through 1350 Hertz.

(c) The auto alarm must operate with signal levels up to 1 volt under normal operating conditions.

(d) The auto alarm warning device must not be activated by atmospherics or by any signal from the antenna other than the alarm signal.

(e) The auto alarms must respond to the alarm signal through non-continuous interference caused by atmospherics and powerful signals other than the alarm signal. In the presence of atmospherics or interfering signals, the auto alarm must automatically adjust itself within a reasonable time to the condition in which it can most readily distinguish the alarm signal.

(f) The auto alarm must respond without adjustment and with practically uniform sensitivity to signals over a band extending no less than 4 kHz on each side of the 500 kHz radiotelegraph frequency and with a minimum attenuation of:

(g) When the auto alarm is activated it must sound continuously a warning in the radiotelegraph operating room, in the radio operator's cabin, and on the bridge.

(h) The auto alarm must include a 500 kHz signal generator and a keying device which automatically disconnects the auto alarm from the antenna when an alarm signal of 100 microvolts is applied to test the auto alarm.

(a) The automatic-alarm-signal keying device may consist of one or more units.

(b) The device must be designed to activate the keying circuits of any transmitter approved by the Commission for use as a main or reserve transmitter.

(c) Timing-adjustment controls must not be accessible from the exterior of the device.

(d) The device must be able to repeatedly transmit the alarm signal. For this purpose the dashes transmitted must have a duration of 3.8 to 4.2 seconds, and spaces between each of the twelve dashes constituting a series must have a duration of 0.8 to 1.2 seconds. Spaces between each series of twelve dashes must have a duration of 0.8 second to one minute. This operation must be sustainable with power supply voltage variations of ±15%.

(e) A single control, protected to avoid accidental manipulation, must be provided for placing the device into full operation within 30 seconds. Once in operation, the device must be capable of continuous operation without attention for a least one hour.

(f) When the “on-off” control of the device is placed in the “off” position, the keying circuit to the radio transmitter(s) must be automatically opened.

(g) The automatic-alarm-signal keying device must be capable of operation from a power supply independent of ship power. It may operate from the radio station emergency power supply.

(h) Instructions for adjustment of the device and the correct indication of any instrument incorporated to reveal improper operation must be inscribed on a plate mounted on the device in a position to be easily read by the operator.

(i) The keying circuit must be capable of switching 0.75 amperes DC through a 32 ohms non-inductive resistance. If the automatic-alarm-signal keying device is also intended to be used with transmitters requiring a keying circuit capability of 2 amperes DC through a 115 ohms non-inductive resistance, the keying circuit of the device must comply with this latter requirement.

(j) The automatic-alarm-signal keying device must operate within specifications throughout the temperature range 0-50 degrees Celsius at relative humidities as high as 95%.

(k) The automatic-alarm-signal keying device must be protected from excessive currents, power supply reversals and voltage variations which could cause damage to any component.

(l) The automatic-alarm-signal keying device must be capable of operating when subjected to vibrations having a frequency between 20 and 30 Hertz and an amplitude of 0.76 mm (0.03 inch) in a direction at an angle of 30 to 45 degrees with the base of the automatic-alarm-signal keying device.

In addition to the requirements set forth in §§ 80.265 and 80.267, survival craft radio equipment must comply with the following:

(a) The radio equipment must be operable without tools.

(b) Each equipment must be provided with an instruction manual covering the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of the equipment.

(c) Simple instructions for the operation of the equipment must be prominently and permanently attached to it. These instructions must include information about the erection of the antenna(s), and automatic and manual transmission of the international distress and alarm signals on 500 kHz.

(d) An artificial antenna for test purposes must be provided.

(e) The survival craft radio transmitter must meet the following:

(1) Must be pretuned to the required frequencies. The operating frequencies must be maintained within the prescribed tolerances under varying voltages, antenna circuit characteristics, and other normal conditions of adjustment, and shock or vibration. The frequency control circuit adjustments must not be readily available to the person using the transmitter;

(2) Antenna tuning controls must be provided on the operating panel. An initial adjustment of these controls must resonate the antenna circuit at each required operating radio frequency. Resonance must be maintained without further adjustment of the controls during a normal operating period of the transmitter;

(3) The front panel must contain controls for manual operation on 500 kHz, manual operation on 8364 kHz, and automatic operation alternately on these two frequencies. Not more than one manual switch adjustment must be necessary to transmit automatically. For manual radiotelegraphy the transmitter and receiver, including their controls, must be arranged so that they can be operated from the same operating position and the time necessary to change from transmission to recepition and vice versa must not exceed two seconds; and

(4) In automatic operation the radio must:

(i) On 500 kHz transmit the international radiotelegraph alarm signal followed by the international radiotelegraph distress signal, the latter to be transmitted in one or more separate groups, each group consisting of three separate distress signals;

(ii) On 8364 kHz transmit the international radiotelegraph distress signal in one or more separate groups, each group consisting of three separate distress signals; this group or these groups to be followed by a continuous long dash of not less than 30 seconds in duration;

(iii) Transmit the specified signals by automatically changing the operating frequency of the transmitter from 500 kHz to 8364 kHz and vice versa with a transfer time interval not to exceed one second;

(iv) Completely de-energize the receiver during operation of the transmitter;

(v) Be capable of testing the required automatic keying arrangement without the generation of radio frequency energy; and

(vi) For automatic transmission of the international radiotelegraph distress signal, not exceed 16 words per minute or be less than 8 words per minute. The alarm signal dashes must have a duration within the limits of 3.8 to 4.2 seconds, and the spaces between each of the 12 dashes constituting a series must have a duration within the limits of 0.8 to 1.2 seconds.

(f) Survival craft radio receivers must meet the following requirements:

(1) The receiver must be capable of receiving A2A or H2A emission over the 492-508 kHz band without manual tuning and when manually tuned must be capable of receiving A1A and A2A or H2A and J2A emission on any frequency in the 8320-8745 kHz band;

(2) The selectivity of the receiver preceeding the final detector must be flat within 6 dB over the band 492 to 508 kHz;

(3) The audio frequency response of the receiver must be flat within 6 dB over the range of frequencies between 400 and 1400 Hertz; and

(4) The receiver must be equipped with only one manually operated volume control.

(g) The artificial antenna must meet the following requirements:

(1) Provide a reliable test load for the transmitter at the frequencies 500 kHz and 8364 kHz of approximately the same electrical characteristics as the single wire or collapsible rod antenna required by this section;

(2) Be housed in a single container and provided with terminals. If more than two terminals are provided on the artificial antenna, all the terminals must be labelled; and

(3) Be prominently labelled “FOR TEST USE ONLY”.

§ 80.265Requirements for survival craft portable radio equipment.

(a) Survival craft portable radio equipment must be provided as a single portable buoyant unit consisting of a transmitter, receiver including headphones, power supply, grounding system, antenna system and line for lowering the apparatus. Each totally enclosed lifeboat must comply with the additional equipment requirements specified in this section:

(1) The radio must float in sea water and withstand a drop into sea water in various positions from a height of 6 meters (20 feet), without requiring repair or adjustment other than normal antenna tuning. The operating controls, indicating devices and instruments, including the headphones, must be protected against physical damage and from prolonged exposure to the weather. The radio must withstand submersion in sea water so that no part is less than 5 centimeters (2 inches) below the surface of the water for two hours without leaking;

(2) The radio must be fitted with handles or grips. It must be carryable by either one or two persons;

(3) The radio must be designed to attach to a lifeboat thwart by lashing or other acceptable means;

(4) The radio, exclusive of the line for lowering, must not weigh more than 27 kilograms (60 pounds). A radio for use in a totally enclosed lifeboat must not weigh more than 18 kilograms (40 pounds);

(5) The line for lowering must consist of not less than 12 meters (40 feet) of 9 thread manila or sisal rope, or the equivalent thereof, which must be securely attached to the radio at all times;

(6) All removable components necessary for the proper operation of the radio must be attached to this equipment;

(7) Each radio must have a durable removable plate showing clearly the survival craft radio call sign in letters and digits and in characters of the Morse code; and

(8) The maximum overall dimensions of the radio to be used in totally enclosed lifeboats including accessories must not exceed 35 by 40 by 50 centimeters (14 by 16 by 20 inches).

(b)(1) Portable survival craft radio transmitters must meet the following requirements:

Operating frequency (kHz)Frequency toleranceParts 1 in 10 6Hz 2Type of emissionModulation percentage (average of modulation percentage of positive and negative peaksModulation frequencyAverage power output into specified artificial antennaArtificial antenna500 5,000 20 A2A and A2B or H2A and H2B Not less than 70 Not less than 450 nor greater than 1350 Hertz Not less than 1.7 watts 10 ohm resistance, 75 picofarads capacitance.500 5,000 20 ......do ......do ......do Not less than 2 watts 315 ohms resistance, 100 picofarads capacitance.8364 200 50 A2A and A3N or H2A and H3N ......do ......do Not less than 4 watts 40 ohms resistance.1 For equipment approved before November 30, 1977.2 For equipment approved after November 29, 1977.3 In the case of equipment approved prior to May 26, 1965, the power output may be 1.7 watts into an artificial antenna of 10 ohms resistance and 75 picofarads capacitance.

(2) The transmitter must be equipped with a visual indicator or indicators such as neon tubes to show antenna circuit resonance. Failure of the indicator(s) must not keep the transmitter from operating.

(c) Portable survival craft receivers must meet the following requirements:

(1) The audio output must be one milliwatt with a signal to noise power ratio of at least 10 to 1, when the receiver is supplied through the following artificial antennas with the respective radio frequency signals:

(2) The noise power present in the output of the receiver when the receiver is adjusted for A2A or H2A emission on 500 kHz and 8364 kHz must be determined with an unmodulated input signal of the indicated strength.

(d) The power supply must meet the following requirements:

(1) The source of power must be a manually operated electric generator capable of energizing the survival craft radio installation. The mechanical power applied to the crank handle(s) or the propelling lever(s) of the generator driving mechanism must not exceed a maximum of 0.15 horsepower for any operation of the survival craft radio installation at any temperature of the generator and its associated driving mechanism between minus 30 degrees and plus 50 degrees Celsius. Under these conditions the speed of rotation of the crank handle(s) must not be greater than 70 revolutions per minute nor must the cycles of operation of the propelling lever(s) be greater than 70 cycles per minute. The voltages applied to the radio installation must not vary from their normal values more than 20 percent at any generator speed in excess of the normal operating speed which can be manually developed.

(e) The antenna system must consist of a single wire antenna with a collapsible mast or a collapsible rod antenna conforming to the following requirements:

(1) The single wire antenna must be at least 12 meters (40 feet) of at least No. 10 AWG insulated extra-flexible stranded copper and include a means for fastening the wire to the antenna supports, and means for making electrical connection to the transmitter;

(2) Each totally enclosed lifeboat must be provided with a collapsible rod antenna which operates in either a freestanding position or supported only by a grommet in the canopy of the lifeboat. The antenna must be capable of being erected from within the enclosure. Antennas for use in totally enclosed lifeboats must be certificated.

(f) The grounding system must consist of either a conducting wire or plate to provide an efficient ground for the portable survival craft equipment. The conducting wire must consist of a length of not less than 6 meters (20 feet) of No. 10 AWG bare stranded copper or equivalent copper braid weighted at one end for immersion in the sea. The ground plate must consist of a bare plate or strips of corrosion resistant metal having a total area of at least .6 square meters (6.5 square feet) and must be located on the hull of the lifeboat below the waterline. The electrical connection to the grounding conductor or to the ground plate must be made from inside the lifeboat.

Operating frequency (kHz)Frequency toleranceParts 1 in 10 6HZ 2Type of emissionModulation percentages (average of modulation percentage of positive and negative peaks)Modulation frequencyAverage power output into specified artificial antennaArtificial antenna500 5,000 20 A2A and A2B or H2A and H2B Not less than 70 Not less than 450 nor greater than 1350 Hertz Not less than 30 watts 10 ohms resistance and 100 picofarads capacitance.8364 200 50 A2A or H2A ldes ......do ......do Not less than 40 watts 40 ohms resistance.1 For equipment approved before November 30, 1977.2 For equipment approved after November 29, 1977.

(2) The transmitter must have an antenna current meter.

(b) Survival craft non-portable receivers must meet the following requirements:

(1) The audio output must be one milliwatt at a signal to noise power ratio of at least 10 to 1, when the receiver is supplied through the following artificial antennas with the respective radio frequency signals:

(2) When the receiver is adjusted for A2A or H2A emission on 500 kHz and 8364 kHz the noise power present in the output of the receiver must be determined with an unmodulated input signal of the indicated strength;

(3) The audio output of the receiver must be capable of at least 8 dB above one milliwatt at the rated loan impedance.

(a) The radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver is comprised of a receiver, a loudspeaker and a radiotelephone auto alarm device.

(b) The radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver must meet the following requirements:

(1) The receiver must be capable of being switched to 2182 kHz and of receiving signals of at least A2A, A2B, H2A and H2B emissions;

(2) The receiver sensitivity must provide a SINAD of 20 dB at the audio output when a 30 microvolt signal with A2A, A2B, H2A, or H2B emission modulated 30% at 400 Hz is applied to the receiver RF terminals;

(3) The audio output of the receiver must be at least 50 milliwatts at the rated load impedance;

(4) The receiver must be provided with an auto alarm device which mutes the receiver (silences the loudspeaker) unless the radiotelephone alarm signal or the signal preceeding a vital navigational warning is received. When the auto alarm is activated the receiver audio output level must be louder than the output level of the received speech signal. Additionally, the receiver must meet the following requirements:

(i) When the receiver is muted its audio output power must be less than 1 milliwatt;

(ii) If tone filters are used to process the 1300 Hz and 2200 Hz tones the tolerance of their center frequency must be ±1.5 percent of the alerting frequency. The response must be flat within 6 dB to ±3% of the center frequency of the filters; and

(iii) The receiver must not be unmuted by atmospherics or by strong signals other than the radiotelephone alarm and the vital navigational warning signal.

(5) The receiver must be unmuted within 4 to 6 seconds when a double sideband alarm signal modulated at 70% is applied at its input terminals at a level which produces a SINAD of 10 dB under the following conditions:

(i) For radiotelephone alarm the signal must be modulated sequentially by a 1300 ±20 Hz tone and a 2200 ±35 Hz tone. The duration of each tone must be 250 ±50 milliseconds and the period between each tone must not exceed 50 milliseconds; and

(ii) For navigational warning the signal must be modulated by a 2200 ±35 Hz tone and the modulated carrier must be turned “on” for 250 ±50 milliseconds and then “off” for 250 ±50 milliseconds.

(6) The receiver must not be unmuted when a double sideband signal of 70 dB above the receiver measured sensitivity, modulated at 70% by a 2200 ±35 Hz tone with the following durations is applied at its input terminals:

(i) “On” periods of less than 175 milliseconds or more than 325 milliseconds followed by “off” periods of any duration; and

(ii) “Off” periods of less than 175 milliseconds or more then 425 milliseconds followed by “on” periods of any duration.

(7) The controls listed below must be provided on the exterior of the equipment:

(i) On/off switch with a visual indication that the device is on;

(ii) Volume control to adjust the audio output;

(iii) Control for dimming any light on the equipment;

(iv) Control for switching the auto alarm in and out of operation; and

(v) Control to manually reset the auto alarm to muted condition.

(8) The receiver must operate within specifications throughout the temperature range 0-50 degrees Celsius at relative humidities as high as 95%.

(9) The receiver must be capable of operating when subjected to vibrations having a frequency between 20 and 30 Hertz and an amplitude of 0.76 mm (0.03 inch) in a direction at an angle of 30 to 45 degrees with the base of the auto alarm.

(1) The transceivers must receive and transmit either on 457.525 MHz or on 156.800 MHz;

(2) The receiver must comply with the requirements in part 15, subpart C of this chapter and must have a sensitivity of not more than 2 microvolts. The sensitivity requirement must be met using the receiver sensitivity measurement procedure specified in the Radio Technical Commission for Marine Services (RTCM) Special Committee No. 66 Report MMS-R2;

(3) The effective radiated power of the transmitter must be at least 0.1 watt;

(4) The transceivers must be battery powered and operate for at least four hours with a transmit to receive ratio of 1:9 with no significant adverse effect upon the performance of the device;

(5) The transceivers must have a permanently attached waterproof label with the statement “Complies with the FCC requirements for survival craft two-way radiotelephone equipment”; and

(6) The antenna must be permanently attached to the device or its removal must require the use of a special tool.

(b) Portable radiotelephone transceivers that are already certificated may be used to satisfy the survival craft radiotelephone requirement until October 1, 1993, provided the device meets the technical requirements in paragraphs (a) (1) through (3) of this section.

(c) Survival craft radiotelephone equipment installed after October 1, 1988, must be certificated to meet the requirements of this section.

(d) After October 1, 1993, all portable radiotelephone transceivers that are used to satisfy the survival craft radiotelephone requirement must have been certificated to meet the requirements of this section.

(e) Portable radiotelephone transceivers which are type accepted to meet the requirements of this section must be identified by an appropriate note in the Commission's database.

(a) Each public coast station operating on telegraphy frequencies in the band 405-535 kHz must maintain a watch for classes A1A, A2B and H2B emissions by a licensed radiotelegraph operator on the frequency 500 kHz for three minutes twice each hour, beginning at x h.15 and x h.45 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

(b) Each public coast station licensed to operate in the band 1605-3500 kHz must monitor such frequency(s) as are used for working or, at the licensee's discretion, maintain a watch on 2182 kHz.

(c) Except for distress, urgency or safety messages, coast stations must not transmit on 2182 kHz during the silence periods for three minutes twice each hour beginning at x h.00 and x h.30 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

(d) Each public coast station must provide assistance for distress communications when requested by the Coast Guard.

§ 80.302Notice of discontinuance, reduction, or impairment of service involving a distress watch.

(a) When changes occur in the operation of a public coast station which include discontinuance, reduction or suspension of a watch required to be maintained on 500 kHz, 2182 kHz, or 156.800 MHz, notification must be made by the licensee to the nearest district office of the U.S. Coast Guard as soon as practicable. The notification must include the estimated or known resumption time of the watch.

(b) [Reserved]

§ 80.303Watch on 156.800 MHz (Channel 16).

(a) During its hours of operation, each coast station operating in the 156-162 MHz band and serving rivers, bays and inland lakes except the Great Lakes, must maintain a safety watch on the frequency 156.800 MHz except when transmitting on 156.800 MHz.

(b) A coast station is exempt from compliance with the watch requirement when Federal, State, or Local Government stations maintain a watch on 156.800 MHz over 95% of the coast station's service area. Each licensee exempted by rule must notify the nearest district office of the U.S. Coast Guard at least thirty days prior to discontinuing the watch, or in the case of new stations, at least thirty days prior to commencing service. The Coast Guard may require any coast station to maintain the watch temporarily or permanently. The Coast Guard may also require any coast station to remain capable of either immediately resuming the watch or providing the Coast Guard direct dial-up access to the necessary 156.800 MHz transceiver at no charge so that the Coast Guard can maintain the watch.

(c) If the government station(s) providing the 156.800 MHz watch over the service area of an exempt station temporarily discontinues that watch, the exempt coast station upon receiving notice of this condition must maintain the watch on 156.800 HMz during the discontinuance. Automated maritime communications systems’ compliance with this requirement is limited to the use of existing facilities.

(a) Each ship station operating on telegraphy frequencies in the band 405-535 kHz, must maintain a watch on the frequency 500 kHz of three minutes twice each hour beginning at x h.15 and x h.45 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) by a licensed radiotelegraph officer using either a loudspeaker or headphone.

(b) Each ship station operating on telephony on frequencies in the band 1605-3500 kHz must maintain a watch on the frequency 2182 kHz. This watch must be maintained at least twice each hour for 3 minutes commencing at x h.00 and x h.30 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) using either a loudspeaker or headphone. Expect for distress, urgency or safety messages, ship stations must not transmit during the silence periods on 2182 kHz.

§ 80.305Watch requirements of the Communications Act and the Safety Convention.

(a) Each ship of the United States which is equipped with a radiotelegraph station for compliance with part II of title III of the Communications Act or chapter IV of the Safety Convention must:

(1) Keep a continuous and efficient watch on 500 kHz by means of radio officers while being navigated in the open sea outside a harbor or port. In lieu thereof, on a cargo ship equipped with a radiotelegraph auto alarm in proper operating condition, an efficient watch on 500 kHz must be maintained by means of a radio officer for at least 8 hours per day in the aggregate, i.e., for at least one-third of each day or portion of each day that the vessel is navigated in the open sea outside of a harbor or port.

(2) Keep a continuous and efficient watch on the radiotelephone distress frequency 2182 kHz from the principal radio operating position or the room from which the vessel is normally steered while being navigated in the open sea outside a harbor or port. A radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver having a loudspeaker and a radiotelephone auto alarm facility must be used to keep the continuous watch on 2182 kHz if such watch is kept from the room from which the vessel is normally steered. After a determination by the master that conditions are such that maintenance of the listening watch would interfere with the safe navigation of the ship, the watch may be maintained by the use of the radiotelephone auto alarm facility alone.

(3) Keep a continuous and efficient watch on the VHF distress frequency 156.800 MHz from the room from which the vessel is normally steered while in the open sea outside a harbor or port. The watch must be maintained by a designated member of the crew who may perform other duties, relating to the operation or navigation of the vessel, provided such other duties do not interfere with the effectiveness of the watch. Use of a properly adjusted squelch or brief interruptions due to other nearby VHF transmissions are not considered to adversely affect the continuity or efficiency of the required watch on the VHF distress frequency. This watch need not be maintained by vessels subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act and participating in a Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) system as required or recommended by the U.S. Coast Guard, when an efficient listening watch is maintained on both the bridge-to-bridge frequency and a separate assigned VTS frequency.

(b) Each cargo ship of the United States which is equipped with a radiotelephone station for compliance with part II of title III of the Communications Act or chapter IV of the Safety Convention must while being navigated outside of a harbor or port:

(1) Keep a continuous watch on 2182 kHz in the room from which the vessel is normally steered while at sea, whenever such station is not being used for authorized traffic. Such watch must be maintained by at least one officer or crewmember who may perform other duties relating to the operation or navigation of the vessel, provided such other duties do not interfere with the watch. A radiotelephone watch receiver having a loudspeaker and a radiotelephone auto alarm must be used to keep the continuous watch on 2182 kHz. After a determination by the master that maintenance of the watch would interfere with the safe navigation of the ship, the watch may be maintained by use of the radiotelephone auto alarm facility alone.

(2) Keep a continuous watch on 156.800 MHz from the room from which the vessel is normally steered. The watch must be maintained by a crewmember who may perform other duties, relating to the operation or navigation of the vessel, provided such other duties do not interfere with the watch. Use of properly adjusted squelch of brief interruptions due to other nearby VHF transmissions are not considered to adversely affect the watch. This watch need not be maintained by vessels subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act and participating in a Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) system when a watch is maintained on both the bridge-to-bridge frequency and a VTS frequency.

(c) Each vessel of the United States transporting more than six passengers for hire, which is equipped with a radiotelephone station for compliance with part III of title III of the Communications Act must, while being navigated in the open sea or any tidewater within the jurisdiction of the United States adjacent or contiguous to the open sea, keep a continuous watch on 2182 kHz while the vessel is beyond VHF communication range of the nearest VHF coast station, whenever the radiotelephone station is not being used for authorized traffic. A VHF watch must be kept on 156.800 MHz whenever such station is not being used for authorized traffic. The VHF watch must be maintained at the vessel's steering station actually in use by the qualified operator as defined by § 80.157 or by a crewmember who may perform other duties relating to the operation or navigation of the vessel, provided such other duties do not interfere with the watch. The use of a properly adjusted squelch is not considered to adversely affect the watch. The VHF watch need not be maintained by vessels subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act and participating in a Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) system when an efficient listening watch is maintained on both the bridge-to-bridge frequency and a VTS frequency.

§ 80.306Provisions governing the radiotelegraph watch.

(a) The radio officer must use the main or reserve receiver, and either headphones or a loudspeaker to keep the watch on 500 kHz.

(b) During the watch, the radio officer may temporarily interrupt the required watch on 500 kHz while transmitting or receiving signals or messages to or from a station but only if it is not feasible to simultaneously handle such traffic and listen on 500 kHz by split headphones or a loudspeaker. The watch on 500 kHz must, however, without exception be maintained during the silence periods.

(c) During this watch, on vessels subject to the Communications Act and the Safety Convention on international voyages, the radio officer may discontinue listening when handling traffic on other frequencies or performing other essential radio duties, but only if it is impracticable to listen by split headphones or loudspeaker. The watch must always be maintained by a radio officer using headphones or loudspeaker during the silence periods. The term “essential radio duties” in this rule includes urgent repairs of radio-communication equipment used for safety or radio navigational equipment by order of the master.

(d) When authorized by the master, the radio officer may perform maintenance repair of communications, navigation or other electronic equipment outside of the radiotelegraph room, provided that the listening watch on 500 kHz can be maintained by headphones, loudspeakers, portable receivers, or other suitable means. The watch on 500 kHz must be maintained in the radiotelegraph room during the silence period.

§ 80.307Compulsory use of radiotelegraph auto alarm.

The radiotelegraph auto alarm required on a cargo ship subject to the radiotelegraph provisions of part II of title III of the Communications Act or the Safety Convention must be in operation, connected to the main antenna and adjusted for optimum efficiency at all times while the ship is being navigated in the open sea when a radio officer is not listening on the frequency 500 kHz, except under the circumstances as set forth in § 80.306(b).

§ 80.308Watch required by the Great Lakes Radio Agreement.

(a) Each ship of the United States that is equipped with a radiotelephone station for compliance with the Great Lakes Radio Agreement must when underway keep a watch on:

(1) 156.800 MHz on board a vessel 20 meters (65 feet) and over in length, a vessel engaged in towing (See § 80.951(b)), or a vessel carrying more than 6 passengers for hire. This watch must be maintained whenever the station is not being used for authorized traffic. However, a watch on 156.800 MHz need not be maintained by a vessel maintaining a watch on the bridge-to-bridge frequency 156.650 MHz and participating in a Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) system and maintaining a watch on the specified VTS frequency.

(2) 156.650 MHz on board a vessel 38 meters (124 feet) and over in length, a vessel engaged in towing (See § 80.951(b)), or a vessel carrying more than six passengers for hire. This watch must be maintained continuously and effectively. Sequential monitoring is not sufficient. Portable VHF equipment may be used to meet this requirement. Vessels are exempted from this requirement while transiting the St. Lawrence Seaway and complying with the Joint Regulations of the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority and St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation between the lower exit of St. Lambert Lock at Montreal and Crossover Island, New York and in the Welland Canal and approaches between Calling in Point No. 15 and No. 16.

(b) The watch must be maintained by the master, or person designated by the master, who may perform other duties provided they do not interfere with the effectiveness of the watch.

In addition to the watch requirement contained in § 80.148, all vessels subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act must keep a watch on the designated navigational frequency. The watch must be maintained by the master or person in charge of the vessel or the person designated by the master or person in charge to pilot or direct the movement of the vessel. The person standing watch may perform other duties provided such other duties do not interfere with the watch.

Voluntary vessels not equipped with DSC must maintain a watch on 156.800 MHz (channel 16) whenever the radio is operating and is not being used to communicate. Noncommercial vessels, such as recreational boats, may alternatively maintain a watch on 156.450 MHz (channel 9) for call and reply purposes.

A mobile station in distress may use any means at its disposal to attract attention, make known its position, and obtain help. A distress call and message, however, must be transmitted only on the authority of the master or person responsible for the mobile station. No person shall knowingly transmit, or cause to be transmitted, any false or fraudulent signal of distress or related communication.

§ 80.312Priority of distress transmissions.

The distress call has absolute priority over all other transmissions. All stations which hear it must immediately cease any transmission capable of interfering with the distress traffic and must continue to listen on the frequency used for the emission of the distress call. This call must not be addressed to a particular station. Acknowledgement of receipt must not be given before the distress message which follows it is sent.

§ 80.313Frequencies for use in distress.

The frequencies specified in the bands below are for use by mobile stations in distress. The conventional emission is shown. When a ship station cannot transmit on the designated frequency or the conventional emission, it may use any available frequency or emission. Frequencies for distress and safety calling using digital selective calling techniques are listed in § 80.359(b). Distress and safety NB-DP frequencies are indicated by footnote 2 in § 80.361(b).

(a) The international radiotelegraphy distress signal consists of the group “three dots, three dashes, three dots” (... ---...), symbolized herein by SOS, transmitted as a single signal in which the dashes are slightly prolonged so as to be distinguished clearly from the dots.

(b) The international radiotelephone distress signal consists of the word MAYDAY, pronounced as the French expression “m'aider”.

(c) These distress signals indicate that a mobile station is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requests immediate assistance.

§ 80.315Distress calls.

(a) The radiotelegraph distress call consists of:

(1) The distress signal SOS, sent three times;

(2) The word DE;

(3) The call sign of the mobile station in distress, sent three times.

(b) The radiotelephone distress call consists of:

(1) The distress signal MAYDAY spoken three times;

(2) The words THIS IS;

(3) The call sign (or name, if no call sign assigned) of the mobile station in distress, spoken three times.

§ 80.316Distress messages.

(a) The radiotelegraph distress message consists of:

(1) The distress signal SOS;

(2) The name of the mobile station in distress;

(3) Particulars of its position;

(4) The nature of the distress;

(5) The kind of assistance desired;

(6) Any other information which might facilitate rescue.

(b) The radiotelephone distress message consists of:

(1) The distress signal MAYDAY;

(2) The name of the mobile station in distress;

(3) Particulars of its position;

(4) The nature of the distress;

(5) The kind of assistance desired;

(6) Any other information which might facilitate rescue, for example, the length, color, and type of vessel, number of persons on board.

(c) As a general rule, a ship must signal its position in latitude and longitude, using figures for the degrees and minutes, together with one of the words NORTH or SOUTH and one of the words EAST or WEST. In radiotelegraphy, the signal .-.-.- must be used to separate the degrees from the minutes. When practicable, the true bearing and distance in nautical miles from a known geographical position may be given.

§ 80.317Radiotelegraph and radiotelephone alarm signals.

(a) The international radiotelegraph alarm signal consists of a series of twelve dashes sent in one minute, the duration of each dash being four seconds and the duration of the interval between consecutive dashes one second. The purpose of this special signal is the actuation of automatic devices giving the alarm to attract the attention of the operator when there is no listening watch on the distress frequency.

(b) The international radiotelephone alarm signal consists of two substantially sinusoidal audio frequency tones transmitted alternately. One tone must have a frequency of 2200 Hertz and the other a frequency of 1300 Hertz, the duration of each tone being 250 milliseconds. When generated by automatic means, the radiotelephone alarm signal must be transmitted continuously for a period of at least 30 seconds, but not exceeding one minute; when generated by other means, the signal must be transmitted as continuously as practicable over a period of approximately one minute. The purpose of this special signal is to attract the attention of the person on watch or to actuate automatic devices giving the alarm.

§ 80.318Use of alarm signals.

(a) The radiotelegraph or radiotelephone alarm signal, as appropriate, must only be used to announce:

(1) That a distress call or message is about to follow;

(2) The transmission of an urgent cyclone warning. In this case the alarm signal may only be used by coast stations authorized by the Commission to do so; or

(3) The loss of a person or persons overboard. In this case the alarm signal may only be used when the assistance of other ships is required and cannot be satisfactorily obtained by the use of the urgency signal only, but the alarm signal must not be repeated by other stations. The message must be preceded by the urgency signal.

(b) In cases described in paragraphs (a)(2) and (3) of this section, the transmission of the warning or message by radiotelegraphy must not begin until two minutes after the end of the radiotelegraph alarm signal.

(a) The radiotelegraph distress procedure consists of the following six steps: however, when time is vital, the first and second steps may be omitted. These two steps of the distress procedure may also be omitted in circumstances when transmission of the alarm signal is considered unnecessary:

(1) The radiotelegraph alarm signal;

(2) The distress call and an interval of two minutes;

(3) The distress call;

(4) The distress message;

(5) Two dashes of ten to fifteen seconds each;

(6) The call sign of the mobile station in distress.

(b) The radiotelegraph distress transmissions must be sent by means of the international Morse code at a speed not exceeding 16 words per minute nor less than 8 words per minute.

(c) The distress message, preceded by the distress call, must be repeated at intervals, especially during the 500 kHz international silence periods, until an answer is received. The radiotelegraph alarm signal may also be repeated, if necessary.

(d) The transmissions under paragraphs (a) (5) and (6) of this section, which are to permit direction finding stations to determine the position of the station in distress, may be repeated at frequent intervals if necessary.

(e) When the mobile station in distress receives no answer to a distress message transmitted on the distress frequency, the message may be repeated on any other available frequency on which attention might be attracted.

(b) Radiotelephone distress transmissions must be made slowly and distinctly, each word being clearly pronounced to facilitate transcription.

(c) After the transmission by radiotelephony of its distress message, the mobile station may be requested to transmit suitable signals followed by its call sign or name, to permit direction-finding stations to determine its position. This request may be repeated at frequent intervals if necessary.

(d) The distress message, preceded by the distress call, must be repeated at intervals until an answer is received. This repetition must be preceded by the radiotelephone alarm signal whenever possible.

(e) When the mobile station in distress receives no answer to a distress message transmitted on the distress frequency, the message may be repeated on any other available frequency on which attention might be attracted.

§ 80.321Acknowledgement of receipt of distress message.

(a) Stations of the maritime mobile service which receive a distress message from a mobile station which is beyond any possible doubt in their vicinity must immediately acknowledge receipt. However, in areas where reliable communication with one or more coast stations is practicable, ship stations may defer this acknowledgement for a short interval so that a coast station may acknowledge receipt.

(b) Stations of the maritime mobile service which receive a distress message from a mobile station which beyond any possible doubt is not in their vicinity, must allow a short interval of time to elapse before acknowledging receipt of the message in order to permit stations nearer to the mobile station in distress to acknowledge receipt without interference.

§ 80.322Form of acknowledgement.

(a) The acknowledgement of receipt of a radiotelegraph distress message is transmitted in the following form:

(1) The distress signal SOS;

(2) The call sign of the station sending the distress message, sent three times;

(3) The word DE;

(4) The call sign of the station acknowledging receipt, sent three times;

(5) The group RRR;

(6) The message signal SOS.

(b) The acknowledgement of receipt of a radiotelephone distress message is transmitted in the following form:

(1) The distress signal MAYDAY;

(2) The call sign or other identification of the station sending the distress message, spoken three times;

(3) The words THIS IS;

(4) The call sign or other identification of the station acknowledging receipt, spoken three times;

(5) The word RECEIVED;

(6) The distress signal MAYDAY.

§ 80.323Information furnished by an acknowledging station.

(a) Every mobile station which acknowledges receipt of a distress message must on the order of the master or person responsible for the ship, aircraft, or other vehicle carrying such mobile station, transmit as soon as possible the following information in the order shown:

(1) Its identifier;

(2) Its position;

(3) The speed at which it is proceeding towards, and the approximate time it will take to reach the mobile station in distress.

(b) Before sending this message, the station must ensure that it will not interfere with the emissions of other stations better situated to render immediate assistance to the station in distress.

§ 80.324Transmission of distress message by station not itself in distress.

(a) A mobile station or a land station which learns that a mobile station is in distress must transmit a distress message in any of the following cases:

(1) When the station in distress cannot transmit the distress message.

(2) When the master or person responsible for the ship, aircraft, or other vehicle not in distress, or for the land station, believes that further help is necessary.

(3) When, although not in a position to assist, it has heard a distress message which has not been acknowledged. When a mobile station transmits such a distress message, it must notify the authorities who may be able to assist.

(b) Transmission must be made on the international distress frequencies or on any other available frequency on which attention might be attracted.

(c) Transmission of the distress message must always be preceded by the call indicated below, which must itself be preceded whenever possible by the radiotelegraph or radiotelephone alarm signal. This call consists of:

(1) When radiotelegraphy is used:

(i) The signal DDD SOS SOS SOS DDD:

(ii) The word DE;

(iii) The call sign of the transmitting station, sent three times.

(2) When radiotelephony is used:

(i) The signal MAYDAY RELAY, spoken three times;

(ii) The words THIS IS;

(iii) The call sign or other identification of the transmitting station, spoken three times.

(d) When the radiotelegraph alarm signal is used, an interval of two minutes must be allowed, whenever this is considered necessary, before the transmission of the call mentioned in paragraph (c)(1) of this section.

§ 80.325Control of distress traffic.

(a) Distress traffic consists of all messages relating to the immediate assistance required by the mobile station in distress. In distress traffic, the distress signal must be sent before the call and at the beginning of the preamble of any radiotelegram.

(b) The control of distress traffic is the responsibility of the mobile station in distress or of the station which has sent the distress message. These stations may delegate the control of the distress traffic to another station.

(c) The station in distress or the station in control of distress traffic may impose silence either on all stations of the mobile service in the area or on any station which interferes with the distress traffic. It must address these instructions “to all stations” or to one station only, according to circumstances. In either case, it must use one of the following signals which are reserved for use by the mobile station in distress and for the station controlling distress traffic:

(1) In radiotelegraphy, the abbreviation QRT, followed by the distress signal SOS.

(2) In radiotelephony, the signal SEELONCE MAYDAY.

(d) If essential, any station of the mobile service near the ship, aircraft, or other vehicle in distress may also impose silence. It must use for this purpose:

(1) In radiotelegraphy, the abbreviation QRT, followed by the word DISTRESS and its own call sign;

(2) In radiotelephony, the word SEELONCE, followed by the word DISTRESS and its own call sign or other identification.

§ 80.326Notification of resumption of normal working.

(a) When distress traffic has ceased, or when complete silence is no longer necessary on a frequency which has been used for distress traffic, the station which has controlled this traffic must transmit on that frequency a message addressed “to all stations” indicating that normal working may be resumed.

(1) In radiotelegraphy, this message consists of:

(i) The distress signal SOS;

(ii) The call “to all stations” (CQ), sent three times;

(iii) The word DE;

(iv) The call sign of the station sending the message;

(v) The time of handing in the message;

(vi) The name and call sign of the mobile station which was in distress;

(vii) The service abbreviation QUM.

(2) In radiotelephony, this message consists of:

(i) The distress signal MAYDAY;

(ii) The call “Hello all stations”, spoken three times;

(iii) The words THIS IS;

(iv) The call sign or other identification of the station sending the message;

(v) The time of handing in of the message;

(vi) The name and call sign of the mobile station which was in distress;

(vii) The words SEELONCE FEENEE OR PRU-DONCE.

(b) Until they receive the foregoing message indicating that normal or limited working may be resumed, all stations which are aware of the distress traffic, and which are not taking part in it, are forbidden to transmit on the frequencies on which the distress traffic is taking place.

§ 80.327Urgency signals.

(a) The urgency signal indicates that the calling station has a very urgent message to transmit concerning the safety of a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle, or the safety of a person. The urgency signal must be sent only on the authority of the master or person responsible for the mobile station.

(b) In radiotelegraphy, the urgency signal consists of three repetitions of the group XXX, sent with the individual letters of each group, and the successive groups clearly separated from each other. It must be transmitted before the call.

(c) In radiotelephony, the urgency signal consists of three oral repetitions of the group of words PAN PAN transmitted before the call.

(d) The urgency signal has priority over all other communications except distress. All mobile and land stations which hear it must not interfere with the transmission of the message which follows the urgency signal.

(a) The urgency signal and call, and the message following it, must be sent on one of the international distress frequencies. Stations which cannot transmit on a distress frequency may use any other available frequency on which attention might be attracted.

(b) Mobile stations which hear the urgency signal must continue to listen for at least three minutes. At the end of this period, if no urgency message has been heard, they may resume their normal service. However, land and mobile stations which are in communication on frequencies other than those used for the transmission of the urgency signal and of the call which follows it may continue their normal work without interruption provided the urgency message is not addressed “to all stations”.

(c) When the urgency signal has been sent before transmitting a message “to all stations” which calls for action by the stations receiving the message, the station responsible for its transmission must cancel it as soon as it knows that action is no longer necessary. This message of cancellation must likewise be addressed “to all stations”.

§ 80.329Safety signals.

(a) The safety signal indicates that the station is about to transmit a message concerning the safety of navigation or giving important meteorological warnings.

(b) In radiotelegraphy, the safety signal consists of three repetitions of the group TTT, sent with the individual letters of each group, and the successive groups clearly separated from each other. It must be sent before the call.

(c) In radiotelephony, the safety signal consists of the word SECURITE, pronounced as in French, spoken three times and transmitted before the call.

(d) The safety signal and call must be sent on one of the international distress frequencies (500 kHz or 8364 kHz radiotelegraph; 2182 kHz or 156.8 MHz radiotelephone). Stations which cannot transmit on a distress frequency may use any other available frequency on which attention might be attracted.

§ 80.330Safety message.

(a) The safety signal and call must be followed by the safety message. Where practicable, the safety message should be sent on a working frequency, and a suitable announcement to this effect must be made at the end of the call.

(b) Except for the cases mentioned in paragraph (c) of this section, the safety signal when sent on the frequency 500 kHz must be transmitted toward the end of the first available silence period; the safety message must be transmitted immediately after the silence period.

(c) Messages about meteorological warnings, of cyclones, dangerous ice, dangerous wrecks, or any other imminent danger to marine navigation must be preceded by the safety signal.

(d) Stations hearing the safety signal must not make any transmission likely to interfere with the message.

§ 80.331Bridge-to-bridge communication procedure.

(a) Vessels subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act transmitting on the designated navigational frequency must conduct communications in a format similar to those given below:

(1) This is the (name of vessel). My position is (give readily identifiable position, course and speed) about to (describe contemplated action). Out.

(2) Vessel off (give a readily identifiable position). This is (name of vessel) off (give a readily identifiable position). I plan to (give proposed course of action). Over.

(b) Vessels acknowledging receipt must answer “(Name of vessel calling). This is (Name of vessel answering). Received your call,” and follow with an indication of their intentions. Communications must terminate when each ship is satisfied that the other no longer poses a threat to its safety and is ended with “Out”.

(c) Use of power greater than 1 watt in a bridge-to-bridge station shall be limited to the following three situations:

(1) Emergency.

(2) Failure of the vessel being called to respond to a second call at low power.

(3) A broadcast call as in paragraph (a)(1) of this section in a blind situation, e.g., rounding a bend in a river.

(a) Unless otherwise indicated radiotelegraphy may be used by ship and public coast stations only.

(b) The signal code for Morse telegraphy must be the international Morse code signals specified in the Telegraph Regulations annexed to the International Telecommunication Convention.

(c) To facilitate communications, ship stations transmitting by means of radiotelegraphy must use the service abbreviations (“Q” signals) listed in Appendix 14 to the ITU Radio Regulations whenever practicable.

(d) In order to reduce interference stations must attempt to select calling frequencies which provide the most favorable propagational characteristics for effecting reliable communications.

(e) Coast stations may apply to use for telegraphy communications any additional coast station frequencies that are allocated for such communications in the 10-27500 kHz band that are not listed in this part. See the Table of Frequency allocations in § 2.106 of this chapter. The use of such frequencies will be authorized initially with a six month provisional period.

(f) Radiotelegraphy stations communicating with a Government station may transmit on a Government frequency when authorized to do so by the Government station or agency if the emission, bandwidth and frequency tolerance of the non-Government station are within the same limits as the Government station.

(a) Frequencies in the 100-160 kHz band. The international calling frequency in the 100-160 kHz band is 143 kHz using A1A or J2A emission. When a ship station operating in the 100-160 kHz band desires to communicate with a coast station, it must call on the frequency 143 kHz unless the International List of Coast Stations provides otherwise. Coast stations must reply on their normal working frequency in this band. Only individual calls, replies to such calls, and transmission of signals preparatory to traffic may be transmitted on 143 kHz.

(b) Frequencies in the 405-535 kHz band. (1) The international distress, urgency, safety, call and reply frequency used by ship and coast stations operating in the 405-525 kHz band is 500 kHz. A2A and A2B or H2A and H2B emissions are preferred for distress calls, distress traffic and for urgency and safety messages. For call and reply messages A1A or J2A emission must be used. In order to facilitate distress communications routine correspondence tranmissions on 500 kHz must be reduced to a minimum.

(2) In Region 2 and areas of heavy traffic ship stations must request coast stations to listen on the ship station's working frequencies.

(3) In areas where 500 kHz is used for distress a ship or coast station must use the supplementary calling frequency 512 kHz for routine calling and normally request a reply on its working frequency. The called station may reply on 512 kHz when requested to do so by the calling station.

(2) Ship station frequencies. The following table describes the calling frequencies in the 4000-27500 kHz band which are available for use by authorized ship stations equipped with crystal controlled oscillators for A1A or J2A radiotelegraphy. There are two series of frequencies for worldwide use and two series of frequencies for each geographic region. Ship stations with synthesized transmitters may operate on every full 100 Hz increment in the 0.5 kHz channel for the frequencies listed, except for 100 Hz above and below those designated for worldwide use. During normal business hours when not communicating on other frequencies, all U.S. coast radiotelegraph stations must monitor the worldwide frequencies and the initial calling frequencies for the region in which it is located. The specific frequencies which must be monitored by a coast station will vary with propagation conditions. The calling frequencies which are routinely monitored by specific coast stations can be determined by reference to the ITU publication entitled “List of Coast Stations”. Initial calls by ship stations must be made on the appropriate initial calling frequency first. Calls on the worldwide frequencies may be made only after calls on the appropriate initial calling frequency are unsuccessful.

(2) EPIRB stations may be assigned 121.500 MHz and 243.000 MHz using A3E, A3X and NON emission or 156.750 MHz and 156.800 MHz using G3N emission to aid search and rescue operations. See subpart V of this part.

This section describes the working frequencies assignable to maritime stations for A1A or J2A radiotelegraphy.

(a) Ship station frequencies—(1) Frequencies in the 100-160 kHz band. The following table describes the working carrier frequencies in the 100-160 kHz band which are assignable to ship stations. A ship station may also transmit on a radiotelegraphy working channel of a coast station within the 100-160 kHz band when directed to do so by the coast station provided interference is not caused to any land, fixed, broadcast, or radiolocation station.

100-160 (kHz)152153154155156157158

(2) Frequencies in the 405-525 kHz band. The following table describes the working carrier frequencies in the 405-525 kHz band which are assignable to ship stations. A ship station may transmit on a radiotelegraphy working channel of a coast station in the 415-490 kHz band when directed to do so by the coast station.

405-525 (kHz)1 4104254544684802 5123 5181 The frequency 410 kHz may be used on a secondary basis for the transmission of radiodetermination information and for transmitting by radiotelegraph radiodetermination related messages to direction-finding stations.2 The frequency 512 kHz may be used as a supplementary calling frequency when 500 kHz is used for distress, safety and urgency communications. The use of the 512 kHz as a working frequency is prohibited in areas where it is used as a supplementary calling frequency when 500 kHz is used for distress, safety, and urgency communications.3 The frequency 518 kHz is a receive only frequency by ship stations. It is used by U.S. Coast Guard coast stations for NB-DP transmissions of meteorological and navigational warnings to ships.

(3) Frequencies in the 2000-27500 kHz band. This paragraph describes the working frequencies and Channel Series in the 2000-27500 kHz band which are assignable to ship stations.

(i) Two Channel Series will be assigned for routine use to each ship station. Frequencies from any other Channel Series may be used if the frequencies in the assigned Channel Series are not adequate for communications.

(ii) If the frequencies listed in paragraph (3)(i) of this section are not adequate for communications, ship stations may use any of the non-paired narrow-band direct-printing frequencies listed in § 80.361(b) of this part for A1A or J2A radiotelegraphy.

(b) Coast station frequencies—(1) Frequencies in the 100-27500 kHz band. The following table describes the working carrier frequencies in the 100-27500 kHz band which are assignable to coast stations located in the designated geographical areas. The exclusive maritime mobile HF bands listed in the table contained in § 80.363(b) of this part are also available for assignment to public coast stations for A1A or J2A radiotelegraphy following coordination with government users.

(2) Conditions of use. The following conditions are applicable to these frequencies:

(i) Frequencies in the 100-160 kHz band are assignable to coast stations for high seas communications only;

(ii) Frequencies above 5 MHz may be assigned primarily to stations serving the high seas and secondarily to stations serving inland waters of the United States, including the Great Lakes, under the condition that interference will not be caused to any coast station serving the high seas. Applicants for these frequencies must submit a substantial showing of need based on the following factors:

(A) A schedule of each currently licensed Morse working frequency and the expected use of the proposed frequencies;

(B) For additional frequencies within the same MHz band, a factual showing of the 3 busiest hours of any 4 days within a consecutive 10 day period for each of the 2 months immediately preceding the filing of the application indicating that the applicant has used its currently assigned frequencies within the same MHz band an aggregate average of at least 40% of the 3 busiest hours of each day for exchanging communications; and

(C) Any other facts that support the need for the proposed assignment, e.g., evidence of radio interference by another station located near enough to render a currently licensed frequency substantially unusable.

(iii) The frequency 410 kHz may be used on a secondary basis for the transmission of radiodetermination information and for transmitting by radiotelegraph radiodetermination messages to direction-finding stations; and

(iv) The frequency 512 kHz may be used as a supplementary calling frequency when 500 kHz is used for distress, urgency and safety communications. The use of the 512 kHz as a working frequency is prohibited in areas where 500 kHz is used for distress, urgency and safety communications.

(a) General purpose calling. The following table describes the calling frequencies for use by authorized ship and coast stations for general purpose DSC. There are three series of paried frequencies. One series is for worldwide use; the other two series are for regional use. The “Series A” designation includes coast stations along, and ship stations in, the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. The “Series B” designation includes stations in any remaining areas. Stations must initiate contact on the appropriate regional frequency depending upon the location of the called station and propagation conditions. Acknowledgement is made on the paired frequency. The worldwide frequencies may be used for international calling, if calls on the appropriate regional frequencies are unsuccessful, or the regional series does not contain the appropriate band (e.g., 2 MHz). During normal working hours, all public coast stations capable of DSC operations must monitor the worldwide and regional frequencies appropriate for its location. The specific frequencies to be monitored will vary with propagation conditions.

General Purpose DSC[In kHz unless otherwise noted]WorldwideShipCoastSeries AShipCoastSeries BShipCoast458.5455.52189.51 2177.04208.04219.54208.54220.04209.54220.56312.56331.06313.06331.56313.56332.08415.08436.58415.58437.08416.08437.512577.512657.012578.012657.512578.512658.016805.016903.016805.516903.516806.016904.018898.519703.518899.019704.018899.519704.522374.522444.022375.022444.522375.522445.025208.526121.025209.026121.525209.526122.02 156.5252 156.5251 The frequency 2177.0 kHzs is also available to ship stations for intership calling and acknowledgement of such calls only.2 MHz.

(b) Distress and safety calling. The frequencies 2187.5 kHz, 4207.5 kHz, 6312.0 kHz, 8414.5 kHz, 12577.0 kHz, 16804.5 kHz, and 156.525 MHz may be used for DSC by coast and ship stations on a simplex basis for distress and safety purposes. The provisions and procedures for distress and safety calling are contained in CCIR Recommendation 541 as modified by § 80.103(c) of this part.

(c) Working frequencies. Coast and ship stations may use DSC techniques for general calling purposes on their assigned working frequencies in the 2000-27500 kHz band and on those frequencies in the 156-162 MHz band which are allocated for maritime control, commercial, non-commercial and public correspondence communications.

(a) Paired channels. (1) The following frequencies are available for assignment to public coast stations for narrow-band direct-printing (NBDP) and data transmissions. The paired ship frequencies are available for use by authorized ship stations for NBDP and data transmissions.

(2) Applicants for these frequencies must submit a substantial showing of need based on the following factors:

(i) A schedule of each currently licensed NBDP frequency and the expected use of the proposed frequencies;

(ii) For additional frequencies within the same MHz band, a factual showing of the 3 busiest hours of any 4 days within a consecutive 10 day period for each of the 2 months immediately preceding the filing of the application indicating that the applicant has used its currently assigned frequencies within the same MHz band an aggregate average of at least 40% of the 3 busiest hours of each day for exchanging communications; and

(iii) Any other facts that support the need for the proposed assignment, e.g., evidence of radio interference by another station located near enough to render a currently licensed frequency substantially unusable.

(b) Non-paired channels. The following table describes the frequencies and Channel Series with F1B or J2B emission which are assignable to ship stations for NB-DP and data transmissions with other ship stations and public coast stations. Public coast stations may receive only on these frequencies.

(c) Distress and calling. The frequencies 2174.5 kHz, 4177.5 kHz, 6268.0 kHz, 8376.5 kHz, 12520.0 kHz, and 16695.0 kHz may be used for NBDP and data transmissions by coast and ship stations on a simplex basis for distress and safety purposes.

(d) The frequencies in the 156-162 MHz band available for assignment to public coast stations that are contained in § 80.371(c) of this part are also available for radioprinter and data communications between ship and coast stations using F1B, F2B, F1D, or F2D emission.

(2) Coast station frequencies. The following table describes the exclusive maritime mobile HF frequency bands that are available for assignment to coast stations using 3 kHz channels for facsimile. However, any frequency in the 2000-27500 kHz bands listed in Part 2 of the Commission's Rules as available for shared use by the maritime mobile service and other radio services, except for the 4000-4063 kHz and the 8100-8195 kHz bands, is available for assignment to coast stations for facsimile. Frequency assignments are subject to coordination with government users.

(b) The frequencies in the 156-162 MHz band available for assignment to public coast stations that are contained in § 80.371(c) of this part are also available for facsimile communications between ship and coast stations using F2C or F3C emission.

(c) The frequency 156.425 MHz is assigned by rule to private coast stations and ship stations in Alaska for ship-to-shore and ship-to-ship facsimile transmissions using F2C or F3C emissions.

The following sections describe the carrier frequencies and general conditions of use for the following types of radiotelephony:

—Distress, urgency, safety, call and reply.

—Working.

—Public.

—Private.

§ 80.367General uses—radiotelephony.

(a) Ship stations communicating with foreign coast stations may operate on any frequency designated by that coast station.

(b) Radiotelephony stations communicating with a Government station may transmit on a Government frequency when authorized to do so by the Government station or agency if the emission, bandwidth and frequency tolerance of the maritime station are within the same limits as the Government station.

(c) Frequencies assigned to Government radio stations are assignable to non-Government maritime stations for radiotelephony communications with other non-Government stations in connection with activities performed in coordination with or on behalf of the Government.

(d) Frequencies in the 2000-27500 kHz band will be authorized only to ship stations that in addition are authorized to use frequencies in the 156-162 MHz band.

(e) Frequencies in the 2000-2850 kHz band will be authorized to private coast stations that in addition are authorized to use frequencies in the 156-162 MHz band.

(f) Ship and coast stations authorized to use frequencies in both the 2000-27500 kHz and 156-162 MHz bands must not use frequencies in the 2000-27500 kHz band for communications with any other station which is within the VHF service range.

(g) Coast and ship station radiotelephone working frequencies are available for DSC general purpose calling under the provisions of § 80.207(a).

(h) Digital selective calling techniques are not authorized on the frequencies 2182 kHz or 156.800 MHz.

§ 80.369Distress, urgency, safety, call and reply frequencies.

This section describes the general uses and frequencies assignable to maritime stations for distress, urgency, safety, call and reply radiotelephony communications.

(a) In the 1605-3500 kHz band, the frequency 2182 is an international radiotelephony distress, urgency and safety frequency for ship stations, public and private coast stations, and survival craft stations. It is also used for call and reply by ship stations on a primary basis and by public coast stations on a secondary basis. The carrier frequency 2191 kHz may be used as a supplementary calling frequency in areas of heavy usage of 2182 kHz. All stations must use J3E emission when operating on 2182 and 2191 kHz, except that:

(1) H3E emission may be used on 2182 kHz for communications with foreign coast and ship stations; or,

(2) A3E emission may be used on 2182 kHz by portable survival craft stations, or transmitters authorized for use prior to January 1, 1972. See § 80.203(c).

(b) The frequencies 4125.0 kHz, 6215 kHz, 8291 kHz, 12290 kHz, and 16420 kHz may be used by coast and ship stations on a simplex basis for distress and safety communications. The frequency 4125.0 kHz may also be used for distress and safety communications between aircraft and maritime mobile stations.

(c) The frequency 5167.5 kHz is available to any station for emergency communications in the State of Alaska. Peak envelope power of stations operating on this frequency must not exceed 150 watts. This frequency may also be used by Alaska private fixed stations for calling and listening, but only for establishing communication.

(d) In the 4000-27500 kHz band, the following coast frequencies are available for assignment to public coast stations for call and reply communications. The paired ship frequencies are available for use by authorized ship stations.

Call and Reply Frequency Pairs in the 4000-27500 kHzCarrier Frequencies (kHz)Channel No.Ship transmitCoast transmit421 1,2,3 4125 1 4417606 2,3 6215 1 6516821 8255 87791221 3 12290 131371621 3 16420 173021806 18795 197702221 22060 227562510 25097 261721 The frequencies 4125 kHz, 4417 kHz, and 6516 kHz are also available on a simplex basis for private communications, see § 80.373(c) of this part.2 The frequencies of 4125 kHz and 6215 kHz are also available on a simplex basis to ship and coast stations for call and reply, provided that the peak envelope power does not exceed 1 kW.3 The frequencies 4125 kHz, 6215 kHz, 8291 kHz, 12290 kHz, and 16420 kHz are also available on a simplex basis for distress and safety traffic, see paragraph (b) of this section.

(e) In the 120-156 MHz band the following frequencies are used as indicated:

(1) The frequencies 121.500 MHz and 123.100 MHz using A3E emission are available for scene of action search and rescue operations to ship, coast and aircraft stations. Communications in support of search and rescue operations must employ the frequency 121.500 MHz only when communications on 123.100 MHz or other VHF frequencies is not practicable. Ship, coast and aircraft stations engaged in such communications on 121.500 MHz must shift to 123.100 MHz as soon as possible.

(2) The frequency 156.525 MHz is available for intership, ship and coast general purpose, distress and safety DSC calls.

(3) The frequency 156.800 MHz is the international radiotelephone distress, urgency, safety, call and reply frequency for ship, public and private coast stations. Stations operating on 156.800 MHz must be able to transmit and receive using G3E emission.

(4) The frequency 156.450 MHz (channel 9) is available for intership, ship and coast station general purpose calling by noncommercial vessels, such as recreational boats. Distress, urgency and safety calls should initially be made on 156.800 MHz (channel 16) or, if equipped with DSC, on 156.525 MHz (channel 70).

This section describes the radiotelephony working frequencies assignable to ship and public coast stations.

(a) Working frequencies in the 2000-4000 kHz band. The following table describes the working carrier frequency pairs in the 2000-4000 kHz band.

Working frequency pairs in the 2000-4000 kHz bandRegionCarrier frequency (kHz)Ship transmitCoast transmitEast Coast: 2031.52490.02118.01 2514.02126.02522.02142.02538.02166.02558.02198.02590.02366.02450.02382.02482.02390.02566.02400.02400.02406.02442.02406.02506.0West Coat:2003.02450.02009.02442.02009.02566.02031.52566.02126.02522.02206.02598.02382.02466.02406.02506.02430.02482.0Gulf Coast:2009.02466.02134.02530.02142.02538.01 2158.01 2550.02166.02558.02206.02598.02366.02450.02382.02482.02430.02572.02458.02506.0Great Lakes 2:2118.02514.02158.02550.02206.02582.0Alaska: 2131.02309.02134.02312.02237.02397.02240.02400.0Hawaii 2134.02530.0Caribbean:2009.02506.03 2086.02585.02134.02530.0Guam2009.02506.01 Unlimited hours of use from December 15 to April 1 and day only from April 1 to December 15. Harmful interference must not be caused to any ship station in the Great Lakes region.2 In the Great Lakes region 2206 kHz is not available for transmission to U.S. ships except in the case of distress. U.S. coast stations in the Great Lakes area may use 2514, 2550 and 2582 kHz on a shared basis with coast stations of Canada. Except in the case of distress, the frequency 2550 kHz must not be used for transmission to ship stations of Canada since the associated ship station transmit frequency 2158 kHz is not available to Canadian ship stations for transmission and 2582 kHz must not be used for public correspondence transmissions to U.S. ship stations since the associated ship transmit frequency 2206 kHz is not available to U.S. ship stations for transmissions except in the case of distress.3 Limited to a peak envelope power of 150 watts.

(b) Working frequencies in the 4000-25700 kHz band. This paragraph describes the working carrier frequencies in the 4000-27500 kHz band.

(1) The following table specifies the carrier frequencies available for assignment to public coast stations. The paired ship frequencies are available for use by authorized ship stations.

(2) The following table specifies the additional carrier frequencies available for assignment to public coast stations for public correspondence. The paired ship frequencies are available for use by authorized ship stations. The specific frequency assignment available to public coast stations for a particular geographic area is indicated by an “x” under the appropriate column. Table B is based on the initial Appendix 25 Allotment Arrangement published by the International Frequency Registration Board (IFRB) (see IFRB Circular-letter No. 836, dated September 28, 1990). The allotment areas are in accordance with the “Standard Defined Areas” as identified in the Appendix 25 Planning System and indicated in the Preface to the International Frequency List (IFL) (see IFRB Circular-letter No. 843, dated October 31, 1990).

(3) The following table specifies the non-paired carrier frequencies that are available for assignment to public coast stations for simplex operations subject to the provision of paragraph (b)(4) of this section. These frequencies are available for use by authorized ship stations for transmissions to coast stations (simplex operations). Assignments on these frequencies must accept interference. They are shared with government users and are considered “common use” frequencies under the international Radio Regulations. They cannot be notified for inclusion in the Master International Frequency Register, which provides stations with interference protection, but may be listed in the international List of Coast Stations. (See Radio Regulation No. 1220 and Recommendation 304.)

Public Correspondence (Simplex)[Non-paired radiotelephony frequencies in the 4000-27500 kHz Band 1 Carrier Frequencies (kHz)]16537188252217425100165401882822177251031883125106188342510918837251121 Coast stations limited to a maximum transmitter power of 1 kW (PEP).

(4) Applicants for these public coast frequencies specified in this section must submit a substantial showing of need based on the following factors:

(i) A schedule of each currently licensed working frequency in the 4000-27500 kHz band and the expected use of the proposed frequencies;

(ii) For additional frequencies within the same MHz band, a factual showing of the 3 busiest hours of any 4 days within a consecutive 10 day period for each of the 2 months immediately preceding the filing of the application indicating that the applicant has used its currently assigned frequencies within the same MHz band an aggregate average of at least 40% of the 3 busiest hours of each day for exchanging communications;

(iii) Any other facts that support the need for the proposed assignment, e.g., evidence of radio interference by another station located near enough to render a currently licensed frequency substantially unusable; and

(iv) For simplex frequencies listed in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, an additional showing supporting the use of simplex rather than duplex frequencies for the proposed situation.

(c) Working frequencies in the marine VHF 156-162 MHz band. (1)(i) The frequency pairs listed in the table in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) are available for assignment to public coast stations for public correspondence communications with ship stations and units on land.

Working Carrier Frequency Pairs in the 156-162 MHz Band 1Channel designatorCarrier frequency (MHz)Ship transmitCoast transmit24 157.200 161.80084 157.225 161.82525 157.250 161.85085 2157.275 161.87526 157.300 161.90086 157.325 161.92527 157.350 161.95087 157.375 161.97528 157.400 162.00088 3157.425 162.0251 For special assignment of frequencies in this band in certain areas of Washington State, the Great Lakes and the east coast of the United States pursuant to arrangements between the United States and Canada, see subpart B of this part.2 The frequency pair 157.275/161.875 MHz is available on a primary basis to ship and public coast stations. In Alaska it is also available on a secondary basis to private mobile repeater stations.3 Within 120 km (75 miles) of the United States/Canada border, in the area of the Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca and its approaches, the frequency 157.425 MHz is available for use by ship stations for public correspondence communications only. One hundred twenty kilometers (75 miles) from the United States/Canada border 157.425 MHz is available for intership and commercial communications. Outside the Puget Sound area and its approaches and the Great Lakes, 157.425 MHz is available for communications between commercial fishing vessels and associated aircraft while engaged in commercial fishing activities.

(ii) Service areas in the marine VHF 156-162 MHz band are VHF Public Coast Station Areas (VPCSAs). As listed in the table in this paragraph, VPCSAs are based on, and composed of one or more of, the U.S Department of Commerce's 172 Economic Areas (EAs). See 60 FR 13114 (March 10, 1995). In addition, the Commission shall treat Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Gulf of Mexico as EA-like areas, and has assigned them EA numbers 173-176, respectively. Maps of the EAs and VPCSAs are available for public inspection and copying at the Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, room 8010, 2025 M Street, NW, Washington, DC. Except as shown in the table, the frequency pairs listed in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section are available for assignment to a single licensee in each of the VPCSAs listed in the table in this paragraph. In addition to the listed EAs listed in the table in this paragraph, each VPCSA also includes the adjacent waters under the jurisdiction of the United States.

(iii) Subject to paragraph (c)(3) of this section, each licensee may also operate on 12.5 kHz offset frequencies in areas where the licensee is authorized on both frequencies adjacent to the offset frequency, and in areas where the licensee on the other side of the offset frequency consents to the licensee's use of the adjacent offset frequency.

(2) Any recovered channel pairs will revert automatically to the holder of the VPCSA license within which such channels are included, except the channel pairs listed in the table in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section. Those channel pairs, and any channel pairs recovered where there is no VPCSA licensee, will be retained by the Commission for future licensing.

(3) VPCSA licensees may not operate on Channel 228B (162.0125 MHz), which is available for use in the Coast Guard's Ports and Waterways Safety System (PAWSS)). In addition, within six months of the conclusion of the competitive bidding procedures to determine the licensees in each VPCSA, the U.S. Coast Guard shall submit to each licensee of VPCSAs 1-9 a plan specifying up to two narrowband channel pairs offset 12.5 kHz from the channels set forth in the table in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section, for use in the PAWSS. The final selection of the PAWSS channel pairs can be negotiated (if the VPCSA licensee objects to the Coast Guard proposal, it shall make a counterproposal within three months) and established by an agreement between the parties. All parties are required to negotiate in good faith. If no agreement is reached within one year of the date the Coast Guard submitted its plan, the Coast Guard may petition the Commission to select the channel pairs.

(4) Subject to the requirements of § 80.21, each VPCSA licensee may place stations anywhere within its region without obtaining prior Commission approval provided:

(i) It provides to co-channel coast station incumbent licensees, and incumbent Private Land Mobile Radio licensees authorized under part 90 of this chapter on a primary basis, protection as defined in subpart P of this part. VPCSA licensees that share a common border may either distribute the available frequencies upon mutual agreement or request that the Commission assign frequencies along the common border.

(ii) The locations and/or technical parameters of the transmitters are such that individual coordination of the channel assignment(s) with a foreign administration, under applicable international agreements and rules in this part, is not required.

(iii) For any construction or alteration that would exceed the requirements of § 17.7 of this chapter, licensees must notify the appropriate Regional Office of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA Form 7460-1) and file a request for antenna height clearance and obstruction marking and lighting specifications (FCC Form 854) with the FCC, Attn: Information Processing Branch, 1270 Fairfield Rd., Gettysburg, PA 17325-7245.

(iv) The transmitters must not have a significant environmental effect as defined by §§ 1.1301 through 1.1319 of this chapter.

(d) Working frequencies in the Mississippi River System. The Mississippi River System includes the Mississippi River and connecting navigable waters other than the Great Lakes. The following simplex frequencies are available for assignment to public coast stations serving the Mississippi River System for radiotelephony communications. These simplex frequencies also are available for use by authorized ship stations within communication service range, whether or not the ship is operating within the confines of the Mississippi River System.

(e) Canada/U.S.A. channeling arrangement frequencies. The VHF frequencies assignable to ship and coast stations in the State of washington and their usage limitations purusant to the Canada/U.S.A. channeling arrangement are described in subpart B of this part.

This section describes the carrier frequencies assignable for ship-to-ship and ship-to-coast private communications.

(a) Special requirements for private coast stations. Assignment to private coast stations of radiotelephony frequencies in the 2000-27500 kHz band are subject to the following:

(1) Private coast stations must see J3E emission.

(2) On 2182 kHz, private coast stations must be capable of receiving J3E and H3E emissions.

(3) Except in the Mississippi River System and Great Lakes, private coast stations serving lakes or rivers are not authorized on the 2000-2850 kHz band.

(4) Private coast stations may use DSC for calling on their assigned frequencies in the 2000-27500 kHz band and on those frequencies in the 156-162 MHz band which are allocated for maritime control, commercial and non-commercial communications.

(b) Frequencies in the 2000-27500 kHz band for intership safety and other communications. This paragraph describes the geographic areas of operation and the frequencies and liminations in the band available for assignment for intership safety and operational simplex radiotelephone communications.

(1) Frequencies avaiable.

Carrier frequency (kHz)Geographic area2003.0Great Lakes only.2082.5 1,2All areas.2093.0 1All areas.2142.0Pacific coast areas south of 42 degrees north on a day basis only.2203.0 0,2Gulf of Mexico.2214.0 1All areas.2638.0 1All areas.2670.0All areas.2738.0 1All areas except the Great Lakes.2830.0Gulf of Mexico only.1 Limited to a peak envelope power of 150 watts.2 Available on a secondary basis for intership communications by ships involved in non-commercial fishing.

(2) Except for 2093.0 kHz and 2214.0 kHz the frequencies shown in paragraph (b)(1) of this section are authorized primarily for intership safety communications in the indicated geographic area.

(3) Except for the frequencies 2093.0 kHz, 2214.0 Khz and 2670.0 kHz the frequencies shown in paragraph (b)(1) of this section may be used on a non-interference basis to safety communications, for operational communications and in the case of commercial transport ships and ships of municipal and state governments, for business communications.

(4) Ship stations may communicate with government coast stations on 2003.0 kHz about passage of vessels. Interference must not be caused to communications on the St. Lawrence Seaway and on the St. Mary's River.

(5) Ship stations may use 2670.0 kHz for communications with coast and ship stations of the U.S. Coast Guard. When a ship is not equipped to transmit on 2670.0 kHz or in the band 156-162 MHz the frequency 2003.0 kHz may be used on the Great Lakes for communications must not cause harmful interference to intership safety, operational and business communications.

(6) Navigational communications between ships and private coast stations may be exchanged on 2738.0 kHz and 2830.0 kHz. The frequencies 2214.0 kHz2738.0 kHz and 2830.0 kHz are assignable to private coast stations upon a showing that they need to communicate with commercial transport or Government ships. Private coast station applicants must show that public coast stations do not provide the required communications and harmful interference will not be caused to the intership use of these frequencies. The transmitter power must not exceed 150 watts. If 2214.0 kHz is authorized for ships, intership communication is also authorized. The geographic limitations to the frequencies 2738.0 KHz and 2830.0 Khz do not prohibit intership communication of less than 320 km (200 statute miles) when only one of the ship stations is within a permitted use geographic area.

(i) The communications are limited to business or operational needs of the vessel while it is engaged in commercial fishing activities in the open sea or adjacent waters;

(ii) Harmful interference must not be caused to intership communications;

(iii) The maximum output power used for such communication must not exceed 25 watts;

(c) Frequencies in the 2000-27500 kHz bands for business and operational communications. (1) The following simplex frequencies in the 2000-27500 kHz band are available for assignment to private coast stations for business and operational radiotelephone communications. These simplex frequencies also are available for use by authorized ship stations for business and operational radiotelephone communications.

Business and Operational Frequencies in the 2000-27500 kHz Band; Carrier Frequencies (kHz)2065.0 1,34146 6224 8294 12353 16528 18840 22159 251152079.0 1,34149 6227 8297 12356 16531 18843 22162 251182096.5 14125 26230 123591653422165 3023.0 44417 56516 221685680 422171 1 Limited to peak envelope power of 150 watts.2 The frequency 4125 kHz is also available for distress and safety, and calling and reply, see § 80.369 (b) and (d) of this part.3 The frequencies 2065.0 kHz and 2079.0 kHz must be coordinated with Canada.4 The frequencies 3023.0 kHz and 5680.0 kHz are available to private coast stations licensed to state and local governments and any scene-of-action ships for the purpose of search and rescue scene-of-action coordination including communications with any scene-of-action aircraft.5 The frequency 6516 kHz is limited to daytime operations. The frequencies 4417 kHz and 6516 kHz are also available for calling and reply, see § 80.369(d) of this part.

(2) Assignment of these frequencies is subject to the following general limitations:

(i) These frequencies are shared and are not available for the exclusive use of any station. No more than one frequency from each of the frequency bands will be authorized to a private station without justification;

(ii) The emissions must be J3E except that when DSC is used the emission must be F1B or J2B; and

(iii) Maximum transmitter output power is limited to 1 kW except as noted.

(d) Radioprinter frequencies. (1) The following table describes the bands available for radioprinter simplex communications between ship and private coast stations:

Frequency bands (kHz)

2107-2170

2194-2495

2505-2850

3155-3400

4438-4650

4750-4850

5060-5450

5730-5950

7300-8100

(2) Ship stations may conduct radioprinter communications with private coast stations on frequencies within these bands which are assigned to their associated private coast stations;

(3) Any alphanumeric code may be used; and

(4) The bandwidth of radioprinter communications on frequencies within these bands must not exceed 300 Hz.

(e) Frequencies in the 2000-27500 kHz band for medical advisory communications. (1) Private coast stations may be authorized to use any frequencies within the 2030-27500 kHz band that are allocated to Government and non-Government fixed or fixed and mobile radio services shown in the Commission's Table of Frequency Allocations contained in § 2.106 of this chapter for communications with ship stations to provide medical treatment information or advice. Assignment of these frequencies is subject to the following limitations:

(2) No protection is provided from harmful interference caused by foreign stations; and

(3) A private coast station must cease operations on a frequency that causes harmful interference to a foreign station.

(f) Frequencies in the 156-162 MHz band. The following tables describe the carrier frequencies available in the 156-162 MHz band for radiotelephone communications between ship and private coast stations. (Note: the letter “A” following the channel designator indicates simplex operation on a channel designated internationally as a duplex channel.)

Frequencies in the 156-162 MHz bandChannel designatorCarrier frequency (MHz)Ship transmitCoast transmitPoints of communication (Intership and between coast and ship unless otherwise indicated)Port Operations01A 1156.050156.05063A 1156.175156.17505A 2156.250156.25065A156.275156.27566A156.325156.32512 3156.600156.60073156.675156.67514 3156.700156.70074156.725156.72577 4156.875Intership only.20A12157.000Intership only.Navigational (Bridge-to-Bridge)513 6156.650156.65067 7156.375156.375Commercial01A 1156.050156.05063A 1156.175156.17507A156.350156.35067 7156.375Intership only.08156.400Do.09156.450156.45010156.500156.50011 3156.550156.55018A156.900156.90019A156.950156.95079A156.975156.97580A157.025157.02588A 8157.425Intership only.72 14156.625Internship only.Digital Selective Calling70 15156.525156.525Noncommercial68 17156.425156.42509 16156.450156.45069156.475156.47571156.575156.57572156.625Intership only.78A156.925156.92579A156.975156.975Great Lakes only.80A157.025157.025Do.67 14156.375Internship only.Distress, Safety and Calling16156.800156.800EPRIBIntership Safety06156.300a. Intership, or b. For SAR: Ship and aircraft for the U.S. Coast Guard.Environmental15 13156.750Coast to ship only.Maritime Control17 9, 10156.850156.850Liaison, U.S. Coast Guard22A 11157.100157.100Ship, aircraft, and coast stations of the U.S. Coast Guard and at Lake Mead, Nev., ship and coast stations of the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.1 156.050 MHz and 156.175 MHz are available for port operations and commercial communications purposes when used only within the U.S. Coast Guard designated Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) area of New Orleans, on the lower Mississippi River from the various pass entrances in the Gulf of Mexico to Devil's Swamp Light at River Mile 242.4 above head of passes near Baton Rouge.2 156.250 MHz is available for port operations communications use only within the U.S. Coast Guard designated VTS radio protection areas of New Orleans and Houston described in § 80.383.3 156.550 MHz, 156.600 MHz and 156.700 MHz are available in the U.S. Coast Guard designated port areas only for VTS communications and in the Great Lakes available primarily for communications relating to the movement of ships in sectors designated by the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation or the U.S. Coast Guard. The use of these frequencies outside VTS and ship movement sector protected areas is permitted provided they cause no interference to VTS and ship movement communications in thier respective designated sectors.4 Use of 156.875 MHz is limited to communications with pilots regarding the movement and docking of ships. Normal output power must not exceed 1 watt.5 156.375 MHz and 156.650 MHz are available primarily for intership navigational communications. These frequencies are available between coast and ship on a secondary basis when used on or in the vicinity of locks or drawbridges. Normal output power must not exceed 1 watt. Maximum output power must not exceed 10 watts for coast stations or 25 watts for ship stations.6 On the Great Lakes, in addition to bridge-to-bridge communications, 156.650 MHz is available for vessel control purposes in established vessel traffic systems. 156.650 MHz is not available for use in the Mississippi River from South Pass Lighted Whistle Buoy “2” and Southwest Pass entrance Midchannel Lighted Whistle Buoy to mile 242.4 above Head of Passes near Baton Rouge. Additionally it is not available for use in the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet, the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet Canal, and the Inner Harbor Navigational Canal, except to aid the transition from these areas.7 Use of 156.375 MHz is available for navigational communications only in the Mississippi River from South Pass Lighted Whistle Buoy “2” and Southwest Pass entrance Mid-channel Lighted Whistle Buoy to mile 242.4 above head of Passes near Baton Rouge, and in addition over the full length of the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet Canal from entrance to its junction with the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal, and over the full length of the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal from its junction with the Mississippi River to its entry to Lake Pontchartrain at the New Seabrook vehicular bridge.8 Within 120 km (75 miles) of the United States/Canada border, in the area of the Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca and its approaches, 157.425 MHz is half of the duplex pair designated as Channel 88. In this area, Channel 88 is available to ship stations for communications with public coast stations only. More than 120 km (75 miles) from the United States/Canada border in the area of the Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, its approaches, the Great Lakes, and the St. Lawrence Seaway, 157.425 MHz is available for intership and commercial communications. Outside Puget Sound area and its approaches and the Great Lakes, 157.425 MHz is also available for communications between commercial fishing vessels and associated aircraft while engaged in commercial fishing activities.9 When the frequency 156.850 MHz is authorized, it may be used additionally for search and rescue training exercises conducted by state or local governments.10 The frequency 156.850 MHz is additionally available to coast stations on the Great Lakes for transmission of scheduled Coded Marine Weather Forecasts (MAFOR), Great Lakes Weather Broadcast (LAWEB) and unscheduled Notices to Mariners or Bulletins. F3C and J3C emissions are permitted. Coast Stations on the Great Lakes must cease weather broadcasts which cause interference to stations operating on 156.800 MHz until the interference problem is resolved.11 The frequency 157.100 MHz is authorized for search and rescue training exercises by state or local government in conjunction with U.S. Coast Guard stations. Prior U.S. Coast Guard approval is required. Use must cease immediately on U.S. Coast Guard request.12 The duplex pair for channel 20 (157.000/161.600 MHz) may be used for ship to coast station communications.13 Available for assignment to coast stations, the use of which is in accord with an agreed program, for the broadcast of information to ship stations concerning the environmental conditions in which vessels operate, i.e., weather; sea conditions; time signals; notices to mariners; and hazards to navigation.14 Available only in the Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.15 The frequency 156.525 MHz is to be used exclusively for distress, safety and calling using digital selective calling techniques. No other uses are permitted.16 The frequency 156.450 MHz is available for intership, ship and coast general purpose calling by noncommercial vessels, such as recreational boats and private coast stations.17 The frequency 156.425 MHz is assigned by rule to private coast stations in Alaska for facsimile transmissions as well as voice communications.

(g) On-board communications: This section describes the carrier frequency pairs assignable for on-board mobile radiotelephony communications. The center of the on-board repeater antenna must not be located more than 3 meters (10 feet) above the ship's working deck. These frequencies are available on a shared basis with stations in the Business Radio Service.

(h) Repeater frequencies in Alaska. The following frequencies are assignable on a primary basis to public and on a secondary basis to private coast stations in Alaska for maritime repeater operations:

Repeater receive: 157.275 MHzRepeater transmit: 161.875 MHz

(i) Frequencies in the 1600-5450 kHz band for private communications in Alaska. The following simplex frequencies are available for assignment to private fixed stations located in the State of Alaska for radiotelephony communications with ship stations. These simplex frequencies are available for use by authorized ship stations for radiotelephony communications with private fixed stations located in the State of Alaska.

Private communications in Alaska Carrier frequencies (kHz)1619.0 2382.0 2563.01622.0 2419.0 2566.01643.0 2422.0 2590.01646.0 2427.0 2616.01649.0 2430.0 3258.01652.0 2447.0 1 3261.01705.0 2450.0 4366.01709.0 2479.0 4369.01712.0 2482.0 4396.02003.0 2506.0 4402.02006.0 2509.0 4420.02115.0 2512.0 4423.02118.0 2535.0 2 5167.52379.0 2538.0 1 Ship stations must limit use of 3261.0 kHz to communications over distances which cannot be reached by the use of frequency below 2700 kHz or above 156.000 MHz.2 The frequency 5167.5 kHz is available for emergency communications in Alaska. Peak envelope power of stations operating on this frequency must not exceed 150 watts. When a station in Alaska is authorized to use 5167.5 kHz, such station may also use this frequency for calling and listening for the purpose of establishing communications.

(j) Frequencies for portable ship stations. VHF frequencies authorized for stations authorized carrier frequencies in the 156.275 MHz to 157.450 MHz and 161.575 MHz to 162.025 MHz bands may also be authorized as marine utility stations. Marine-utility stations on shore must not cause interference to any VHF or coast station, VHF or UHF land mobile base station, or U.S. Government station.

Until implementation procedures and schedules are determined by a conference of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the bands 4000-4063 kHz and 8100-8195 kHz are allocated on a shared primary basis between the fixed service and the maritime mobile service; see § 2.106, note US236, of the Commission's Rules. Frequency assignments in the 4000-4063 kHz and 8100-8195 kHz bands are subject to coordination with government users. Additionally, coast station assignments in the 4000-4063 kHz band deviate from international provisions. Coast station assignments in the 4000-4063 kHz band are permitted provided that harmful interference is not caused to, and must accept interference from, stations operated by other countries in accordance with the Radio Regulations (see Radio Regulation Nos. 342 and 517).

(a) Application requirements. Applicants for public coast station frequencies described in this section must submit a substantial showing of need based on the following factors:

(1) A schedule of each currently licensed 4, 6, and 8 MHz frequency and the expected use of the proposed frequencies;

(2) For additional frequencies within the same MHz band, a factual showing of the 3 busiest hours of any 4 days within a consecutive 10 day period for each of the 2 months immediately preceding the filing of the application indicating that the applicant has used its currently assigned frequencies within the same MHz band an aggregate average of at least 40% of the 3 busiest hours of each day for exchanging communications; and

(3) Any other facts that support the need for the proposed assignment, e.g., evidence of radio interference by another station located near enough to render a currently licensed frequency substantially unusable.

(b) Frequencies in the 4000-4063 kHz band. (1) The frequencies in the 4000-4063 kHz bands are available to ship and public coast stations for:

(i) Supplementary ship-to-shore duplex operations with coast stations assigned the frequencies described in § 80.371(b) of this part;

(ii) Intership simplex operations and cross-band operations;

(iii) Ship-to-shore or shore-to-ship simplex operations; or

(iv) Duplex operations with coast stations assigned in the band 4438-4650 kHz, as described in § 80.373(d) of this part.

(2) The following table describes the channelization of carrier frequencies in the 4000-4063 kHz band.

(1) Except in distress the assigned frequency for direction finding is 410 kHz;

(2) Ship stations may use 500 kHz for direction finding exclusively in Regions 1 and 3 outside areas of heavy radio traffic. Use must not interfere with distress urgency and safety signals or calls and replies.

(b) Radiodetermination frequencies for cable-repair ships. Except in Region 1 the channels in the 285-325 kHz band are assignable to ship stations for cable-repair radiodetermination operations. In Region 1 the channels available for assignment for such operations are limited to the 285-315 kHz band. The conditions of use of these channels are set forth in subpart X of this part. Channel usage must comply with the following requirements:

(1) They are not permitted within the territorial waters of a foreign country;

(2) Their output power must not exceed 15 watts; and

(3) They must not cause interference to any maritime station in the radionavigation service.

(2) Assignment of these bands to ship and coast stations are subject to the following conditions:

(i) The 2450-2500 MHz band may be used only for radiolocation on the condition that harmful interference must not be caused to the fixed and mobile services. No protection is provided from interference caused by emissions from industrial, scientific, or medical equipment;

(ii) The use of the 2900-3100 MHz, 5470-5650 MHz and 9300-9500 MHz bands for radiolocation must not cause harmful interference to the radionavigation and Government radiolocation services. Additionally, the use of the 2900-3000 MHz band for radiolocation must not cause harmful interference to the Government meteorological aids service.

(iii) In the 2920-3100 MHz and 9320-9500 MHz bands the use of fixed-frequency transponders for radionavigation is not permitted;

(iv) Non-Government radiolocation stations may be authorized in the 5460-5470 MHz band on the condition that harmful interference shall not be caused to the aeronautical or maritime radionavigation services or to Government radiolocation service;

(v) The use of the 5460-5650 MHz band for radionavigation is limited to shipborne radar;

(vi) The use of the 14.00-14.05 GHz band will be authorized only for test purposes and maritime radionavigation on a secondary basis to the fixed-satellite service; and

(vii) Selectable transponders must be authorized under Part 5 of the Commission rules until technical standards for their use are developed.

(3) In addition to the conditions in (2) of this paragraph ship stations are subject to the following conditions:

(i) Transponders used for safety purposes will be authorized in the 2900-3100 MHz, 5470-5650 MHz and 9300-9500 MHz bands. Transponders used for non-safety purposes will be confined to the 2930-2950 MHz, 5470-5480 MHz and 9300-9500 MHz subbands only;

(ii) In the 2900-2920 MHz and 9300-9320 MHz subbands the use of radars other than those installed prior to January 2, 1976, is not permitted;

(iii) In the 2920-3100 MHz and 9320-9500 MHz bands non-selectable transponders will be authorized only for safety purposes;

(iv) Non-selectable transponders must not be used to enhance detection of marine craft;

(4) In the 2920-3100 MHz and 9320-9500 MHz bands shore station radar transponders used only as racons will be authorized.

(e) In addition to the other technical requirements contained in subpart E of this part search and rescue transponder stations must meet the following technical standards contained in the latest international Radio Consultative Committee (CCIR) Recommendation 628 titled “Technical Characteristics for a Search and Rescue Radar Transponder”:

(1) Operate in the 9300-9500 MHz band;

(2) Be horizontally polarized at their source;

(3) Have an effective receiver sensitivity including its antenna gain better than −50 dBm;

(4) Operate within specifications between the temperatures of −20 and +50 degrees Celsius;

(5) Operate within specifications for at least 48 hours at 0 degrees Celsius without changing batteries;

(6) Have a sawtooth sweep with a 5 microseconds ± 0.5 microseconds rate and return of less than 0.5 microseconds;

(7) Have a pulse emission of 100 microseconds maximum duration;

(8) Have a recovery time following excitation of 10 microseconds or less;

(9) Have a delay between receipt of a radar signal and start of transmissions of 1.25 microseconds or less;

(10) Have an antenna whose vertical beamwidth is no less than 25 degrees and its azimuthal beamwidth is omnidirectional within 2 dB; and

The frequency band 1626.5-1645.5 MHz is assignable for communication, radiodetermination and telecommand messages, and developmental operations that are associated with the position, orientation and operational functions of maritime satellite equipment. The frequency band 1645.5-1646.5 MHz is reserved for use in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).

(b) The conditions of use of the carrier frequencies in paragraph (a) of this section, are:

(1) For permissible geographic areas of operation see § 80.373(b)(1). For other limitations see § 80.373(b)(7);

(2) Aircraft and ship stations may use 3023.0 kHz and 5680.0 kHz for search and rescue scene-of-action coordination including communications between these stations and participating land stations. Stations using these frequencies must use J3E emission;

(3) Assignable for distress and safety communications between aircraft and maritime mobile stations;

(4) Assignable for search and rescue between ships and aircraft. Stations using these frequencies must use A3E emission;

(5) These frequencies may be used by aircraft stations when:

(i) The altitude of aircraft stations does not exceed 300 meters (1,000 feet), except for reconnaissance aircraft participating in icebreaking operations where an altitude of 450 meters (1,500 feet) is allowed;

(ii) The mean power of aircraft stations must not exceed five watts;

(iii) Communications are limited to operations in which the maritime mobile stations are primarily involved and where direct communications between the aircraft and the ship or coast station is required;

(iv) Stations may use 156.300 MHz for safety purposes only;

(v) Stations may use 156.800 MHz for distress, safety and calling only; and

(vi) Use of 156.375 MHz by aircraft is not permitted in the New Orleans VTS area specified in §80.383.

(6) The use of 157.100 MHz is limited to communications with stations of the Department of Interior at Lake Mead, Nevada; and

(7) Commercial fishing vessels and associated aircraft may use 157.425 MHz while engaged in commercial fishing activities except within 120 km (75 miles) of the United States/Canada border and Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca and its approaches, the Great Lakes, and the St. Lawrence Seaway.

The following carrier frequencies in the 72-76 MHz band are assignable to operational fixed stations using vertical polarization, if no harmful interference is caused to TV reception on Channels 4 and 5. These frequencies are shared with the Land Mobile and Aviation Radio Services.

This section describes the carrier frequencies available for use in the Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) systems within the designated geographic radio protected areas.

(a) Assigned frequencies:

Vessel Traffic Control FrequenciesCarrier frequencies (MHz)Geographic areas156.250Seattle.156.550 New York, New Orleans,2 Houston, Prince William Sound,2 Berwick Bay.156.600New York, New Orleans,2 Houston, San Francisco,2 Sault Ste. Marie.2156.700New York, New Orleans,2 Seattle, San Francisco.11 Private coast station licenses for the use of this frequency will not be renewed beyond November 1, 1997. Continued use until expiration must be on a noninterference basis to Coast Guard VTS communications.2 Private coast station licenses for the use of this frequency in this area will expire at the end of the current license term or five years after the adopted date of the final rule, whichever comes first. Continued use until expiration must be on a noninterference basis to Coast Guard VTS communications.

(b) The U.S. Coast Guard designated radio protection areas for VTS are as follows:

(1) New York. The rectangle between north latitudes 40 degrees and 42 degrees and west longitudes 71 degrees and 74 degrees 30 minutes;

(4) Seattle (Puget Sound). The area encompassed between the United States-Canadian border and a line drawn from 49 degrees North 121 degrees West on the United States-Canadian Border, to 46 degrees 30 minutes North 121 degrees West, then to 46 degrees 30 minutes North 125 degrees West, then to 48 degrees 30 minutes North 125 degrees West, and then east to the United States-Canadian Border;

(5) San Francisco. The rectangle between north latitudes 39 degrees and 37 degrees and west longitudes 120 degrees 50 minutes and 123 degrees 20 minutes; and

(c) The use of the frequencies shown in paragraph (a) of this section is permitted in areas outside the Coast Guard radio protection areas provided there is no interference to VTS communications within the VTS areas.

(2) The following carrier frequency pairs are available for radiotelephony, facsimile and teleprinter communications. AMTS operations must not cause harmful interference to the U.S. Navy SPASUR system which operates in the band 216.880-217.080 MHz.

(3) Channels in the 219-220 MHz band are also used on a secondary, non-interference basis by amateur stations participating in digital message forwarding systems. Amateur stations may not cause harmful interference to AMTS operations and must accept any harmful interference from AMTS operation. Amateur stations within 80 km (50 miles) of an AMTS coast station must obtain written approval from the AMTS licensee prior to operating in the 219-220 MHz band. Amateur stations within 640 km (398 miles) of an AMTS coast station must notify the AMTS licensee in writing at least 30 days prior to initiation of operations in the 219-220 MHz band. All amateur stations must notify the American Radio Relay League in writing at least 30 days prior to initiation of operations in the 219-220 MHz band (ARRL, 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111-1494).

(b) Narrowband operations in AMTS. AMTS licensees may operate on frequencies offset from the assignable channels specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section provided such licensees are also licensed for channels on each side of the offset frequency. Licensees using offset frequencies must conform with all other conditions of operation.

(a) The carrier frequencies listed in (b) of this section are assignable for point-to-point simplex radiotelephone communications between private fixed stations in Alaska. The frequency pairs listed in paragraph (d) of this section are assignable for point-to-point duplex radiotelephone communications between private and public fixed stations in Alaska. Fixed stations in Alaska authorized to share carrier frequencies with the maritime mobile service must always give priority on such frequencies to maritime distress, urgency and safety communications.

(b) Alaska-private fixed station frequencies:

Carrier frequencies (kHz)1643.0 2430.0 2773.01646.0 2447.0 3164.51649.0 2450.0 3183.01652.0 2463.0 3196.01657.0 2466.0 3201.01660.0 12471.0 3258.01705.0 2479.0 3261.01709.0 2482.0 3303.01712.0 2506.0 3365.02003.0 2509.0 4035.02006.0 2512.0 5164.52115.0 2535.0 3 5167.52118.0 2538.0 5204.52253.0 2563.0 2 6948.52400.0 2566.0 2 7368.52419.0 2601.0 8067.02422.0 2616.0 8070.02427.0 2691.0 2 11437.02 11601.51 Use of 1660.0 kHz must be coordinated to protect radiolocation on adjacent channels.2 Peak envelope power must not exceed 1 kW for radiotelephony. Teleprinter use is authorized.3 The frequency 5167.5 kHz is available for emergency communications in Alaska. Peak envelope power of stations operating on this frequency must not exceed 150 watts. When a station in Alaska is authorized to use 5167.5 kHz, such station may also use this frequency for calling and listening for the purpose of establishing communications.

(c) Use of the frequencies in paragraph (b) of this section must meet the following conditions:

(1) Communications between private coast and private fixed stations are prohibited; and

(2) Station licensees must not charge for third party communication services between their station and any other private fixed station.

(d) The following carrier frequency pairs are assignable for point-to-point communications between public fixed and private fixed stations:

Public fixed station frequencies (kHz)Private fixed Station frequencies (kHz)1 2312.0 2632.02604.0 2256.02781.0 3 2474.02784.0 2694.03167.5 3354.03180.0 2776.03241.0 3357.03362.0 3238.02 4791.5 5207.55370.0 4 5134.5, 4 5137.51 This frequency is assignable on a primary basis to public coast stations and on a secondary basis to public fixed stations.2 Teleprinter use is authorized.3 Peak envelope power must not exceed 1 kW.4 Licensees must cease all communications on 5134.5 kHz and 5137.5 kHz when notified by the State of Alaska of an emergency or disaster. Licensees may resume communication on these frequencies when notified by the State of Alaska that the disaster or harmful interference has ended.

(e) The public fixed station frequencies are assignable to common carriers.

(f) The private fixed station frequencies described in paragraph (d) of this section are assignable to private entities located in areas where common carrier facilities are not available. Private fixed stations operating on the frequencies in paragraph (d) of this section, must communicate with public fixed stations only. Private fixed stations are permitted to provide third party communications between their station and the public fixed stations. A charge for such service is prohibited.

(g) U.S. Government frequencies will be authorized if the Commission determines that the assignment is in the public interest.

(a) Marine receiver test. Maritime support stations will be authorized to conduct receiver tests on the ship station frequencies of the channels assigned to the associated public coast station.

(b) Shore radar and radiolocation tests. The following frequency bands are available for assignment to demonstrate radar and radiolocation equipment. The use of frequencies within these bands must not cause harmful interference to the radionavigation service and the Government radiolocation service: 2450-2500 MHz, 2900-3100 MHz, 5460-5650 MHz, 9300-9500 MHz, 14.0-14.05 GHz.

Developmental Stations§ 80.391Frequencies for developmental stations.

(a) Ship and shore stations engaged in developmental operations may be assigned any frequency or frequencies assignable to the service and class of station they propose to operate. The following frequency bands are also assignable to ships and coast stations for developmental operations:

(b) Stations authorized to conduct developmental operations are prohibited from communicating with any station of a country other than the United States.

(c) Stations authorized to conduct developmental operations must not cause harmful interference to the operation of stations authorized in other public services nor to any United States Government or foreign station.

Subpart I—Station Documents§ 80.401Station documents requirement.

Licensees of radio stations are required to have current station documents as indicated in the following table:

EC02AP91.001Notes:

1. The expired station license must be retained in the station records until the first Commission inspection after the expiration date.

2. Alternatively, a list of coast stations maintained by the licensee with which communications are likely to be conducted, showing watchkeeping hours, frequencies and charges, is authorized.

3. Required only if station provides a service to oceangoing vessels.

4. Certification of a Great Lakes Agreement inspection may be made by either a log entry or issuance of a Great Lakes Agreement certificate. Radiotelephone logs containing entries certifying that a Great Lakes Agreement inspection has been conducted must be retained and be available for inspection by the FCC for 2 years after the date of the inspection.

[61 FR 25805, May 23, 1996]§ 80.403Availability of documents.

Station documents must be readily available to the licensed operator(s) on duty during the hours of service of the station and to authorized Commission employees upon request.

§ 80.405Station license.

(a) Requirement. Stations must have an authorization granted by the Federal Communications Commission.

(b) Application. Application for authorizations in the maritime services must be submitted on the prescribed forms in accordance with subpart B of this part.

(c) Posting. The current station authorization or a clearly legible copy must be posted at the principal control point of each station. If a copy is posted, it must indicate the location of the original. When the station license cannot be posted as in the case of a marine utility station operating at temporary unspecified locations or the ship or recreational boat does not have an enclosed wheelhouse, it must be kept where it will be readily available for inspection. The licensee of a station on board a ship subject to Part II or III of Title III of the Communications Act or the Safety Convention must retain the most recently expired ship station license in the station records until the first Commission inspection after the expiration date.

This section contains information and rules pertinent to the application for and posting of radio operator authorizations. Rules applicable to radio operator requirements are contained in subpart D of this part and other rules pertinent to commercial radio operators are contained in part 13 of this chapter.

(a) Application. Detailed information about application forms, filing procedures, and places to file applications for radio operator authorizations is contained in the bulletin “Commercial Radio Operator Licenses and Permits.” This bulletin is available from any Commission District Office or from the FCC, Washington, DC 20554.

(b) Posting. When a Commission-authorized operator is required, the original authorization of each operator must be posted at the principal control point of the station. In lieu of posting, an operator who holds a restricted radiotelephone operator permit or a higher class operator license may have the operator authorization or a photocopy thereof available for inspection upon request by authorized Commission employees when operating the following:

(1) A voluntary station;

(2) Any class of ship station when the operator is on board solely to service the radio equipment; or

(3) A portable station.

§ 80.409Station logs.

(a) General requirements. Logs must be established and properly maintained as follows:

(1) The log must be kept in an orderly manner. The required information for the particular class or category of station must be readily available. Key letters or abbreviations may be used if their proper meaning or explanation is contained elsewhere in the same log.

(2) Erasures, obliterations or willful destruction within the retention period are prohibited. Corrections may be made only by the person originating the entry by striking out the error, initialing the correction and indicating the date of correction.

(3) Ship station logs must identify the vessel name, country of registry, and official number of the vessel.

(4) The station licensee and the radio operator in charge of the station are responsible for the maintenance of station logs.

(b) Availability and retention. Station logs must be made available to authorized Commission employees upon request and retained as follows:

(1) Logs must be retained by the licensee for a period of two years from the date of entry, and, when applicable, for such additional periods as required by the following paragraphs:

(i) Logs relating to a distress situation or disaster must be retained for three years from the date of entry.

(ii) If the Commission has notified the licensee of an investigation, the related logs must be retained until the licensee is specifically authorized in writing to destroy them.

(iii) Logs relating to any claim or complaint of which the station licensee has notice must be retained until the claim or complaint has been satisfied or barred by statute limiting the time for filing suits upon such claims.

(2) Logs containing entries required by paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section must be kept at the principal radiotelephone operating location while the vessel is being navigated. All entries in their original form must be retained on board the vessel for at least 30 days from the date of entry. Additionally, logs required by paragraph (f) of this section must be retained on board the vessel for a period of 2 years from the date of the last inspection of the ship radio station.

(3) Ship radiotelegraph logs must be kept in the principal radiotelegraph operating room during the voyage.

(c) Public coast station logs. Public coast stations must maintain a log as follows:

(1) “ON DUTY” must be entered by the operator beginning a duty period, followed by the operator's signature. “OFF DUTY” must be entered by the operator being relieved of or terminating duty, followed by the operator's signature.

(2) The date and time of making an entry must be shown opposite the entry.

(3) Failure of equipment to operate as required and incidents tending to unduly delay communication must be entered.

(4) All measurements of the transmitter frequency(ies) must be entered with a statement of any corrective action taken.

(5) Entries must be made giving details of all work performed which may affect the proper operation of the station. The entry must be made, signed and dated by the operator who supervised or performed the work and, unless the operator is regularly employed on a full-time basis at the station, must also include the mailing address, class, serial number, and expiration date of the operator license.

(6) Entries must be made about the operation of the antenna tower lights when the radio station has an antenna structure requiring illumination by part 17 of this chapter.

(7) All distress or safety related calls transmitted or received must be entered, together with the frequency used and the position of any vessel in need of assistance.

(8) Coast stations which maintain a watch on 500 kHz must enter the time this watch is begun, suspended or ended.

(d) Ship radiotelegraph logs. Logs of ship stations which are compulsorily equipped for radiotelegraphy and operating in the band 90 to 535 kHz must contain log entries as follows:

(1) The date and time of each occurrence or incident required to be entered in the log must be shown opposite the entry and the time must be expressed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

(2) “ON WATCH” must be entered by the operator beginning a watch, followed by the operator's signature. “OFF WATCH” must be entered by the operator being relieved or terminating a watch, followed by the operator's signature. All log entries must be completed by the end of each watch.

(3) During the watch, all calls and replies to and from the station must be entered to include the time, frequencies, and call letters of the station communicated with or heard. Also, any messages exchanged must be entered to include the time, frequency, and call letters of the station(s) communicated with or heard.

(4) During the watch, an entry must be made twice per hour stating whether the international silence period was observed. Entries must also be made indicating any signals or communications heard on 500 kilohertz during this period. If no signals are heard on 500 kHz, an entry to that effect must be made.

(5) The time and reason for discontinuance and the time of resuming the watch must be entered when the 500 kHz watch is discontinued.

(6) All distress calls, automatic-alarm signals, urgency and safety signals made or intercepted, the complete text, if possible, or distress messages and distress communications, and any incidents or occurrences which may appear to be of importance to safety of life or property at sea, must be entered, together with the time of such observation or occurrence and the position of the ship or other mobile unit in need of assistance.

(7) The position of the ship at least once per day.

(8) A daily entry must be made comparing the radio station clock with standard time, including errors observed and corrections made. For this purpose, authentic radio time signals received from land or fixed stations will be acceptable as standard time.

(9) All test transmissions must be entered, including the time of the transmissions and the approximate geographical location of the vessel.

(10) Any failure of equipment to operate as required and any incidents tending to unduly delay communications must be entered.

(11) A ship required to keep a radiotelegraph watch on 500 kHz must meet the following:

(i) Entries must be made of the results of tests of the emergency installation including transmitter antenna current, hydrometer readings of lead-acid storage batteries, voltage readings of other types of batteries, and quantity of fuel available for engine generators.

(ii) When the vessel is in the open sea, a log entry must be made each time the emergency power supply is used to carry on a communication other than during a safety watch.

(iii) When the vessel is in the open sea, a daily entry must be made showing whether the storage batteries were brought up to the normal full charge condition that day.

(iv) Entries must be made stating when each storage battery is placed on charge or off charge.

(v) Entries must be made about maintenance of survival craft radio equipment, including a record of charging of any storage batteries supplying power to such equipment. The record of charging must show when such storage battery is placed on charge and when it is taken off charge.

(vi) Results of inspections and tests of survival craft radio equipment, prior to departure of the vessel from a harbor or port and weekly inspections, must be entered.

(vii) On a cargo vessel equipped with an auto alarm, the entry “AUTO ALARM ON” and the entry “AUTO ALARM OFF”, respectively, must be made whenever the operator places the auto alarm in and out of operation. Results of the required auto alarm tests must be entered daily, including the minimum number of 4-second dashes from the testing device which were necessary to properly operate the alarm.

(viii) On a cargo vessel equipped with an auto alarm, a log entry must be made whenever the auto alarm becomes inoperative. The entry must include a statement showing the time the operator was called to make repairs; the reason for the failure; parts changed; repairs; and the time the auto alarm was restored to service.

(e) Ship radiotelephone logs. Logs of ship stations which are compulsorily equipped for radiotelephony must contain the following applicable log entries and the time of their occurrence:

(1) A summary of all distress, urgency and safety traffic;

(2) A summary of communications conducted on other than VHF frequencies between the ship station and land or mobile stations;

(3) A reference to important service incidents;

(4) The position of the ship at least once a day;

(5) The name of the operator at the beginning and end of the watch period;

(6) The time the watch begins when the vessel leaves port, and the time it ends when the ship reaches port;

(7) The time the watch is discontinued, including the reason, and the time the watch is resumed;

(8) The times when storage batteries provided as a part of the required radiotelephone installation are placed on charge and taken off charge;

(9) Results of required equipment tests, including specific gravity of lead-acid storage batteries and voltage reading of other types of batteries provided as a part of the compulsory installation;

(10) Results of inspections and tests of compulsorily fitted lifeboat radio equipment;

(11) A daily statement about the condition of the required radiotelephone equipment, as determined by either normal communication or test communication;

(12) When the master is notified about improperly operating radiotelephone equipment.

(f) Applicable radiotelephone log entries. The log entries listed in paragraph (e) of this section are applicable as follows:

(1) Radiotelephony stations subject to the Communications Act, the Safety Convention, or the Bridge-to-Bridge Act must record entries indicated by paragraphs (e)(1) through (e)(12) of this section. Additionally, the radiotelephone log must provide an easily identifiable, separate section relating to the required inspection of the ship's radio station. Entries must be made in this section giving at least the following information.

(E) The inspector's signed and dated certification that the vessel meets the requirements of the Communications Act and, if applicable, the Safety Convention and the Bridge-to-Bridge Act contained in subparts Q, R, S, U, or W of this part and has successfully passed the inspection.

(F) The vessel owner, operator, or ship's master's certification that the inspection was satisfactory.

(D) The date and time that the ship's owner, operator or master was notified that the ship failed the inspection.

(2) Radiotelephony stations subject to the Great Lakes Agreement and the Bridge-to-Bridge Act must record entries indicated by paragraphs (e) (1), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (11) and (12) of this section. Additionally, the radiotelephone log must provide an easily identifiable, separate section relating to the required inspection of the ship's radio station. Entries must be made in this section giving at least the following information:

(v) The inspector's signed and dated certification that the vessel meets the requirements of the Great Lakes Agreement and the Bridge-to-Bridge Act contained in subparts T and U of this part and has successfully passed the inspection; and

(vi) The vessel owner, operator, or ship's master's certification that the inspection was satisfactory.

(3) Radiotelephony stations subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act must record entries indicated by paragraphs (e) (1), (5), (6), (7), (11) and (12) of this section.

(a) Application. The application procedures for inspection and certification and for exemptions are contained in § 80.59.

(b) Posting. Communications Act, Safety Convention and Great Lakes Radio Agreement certificates or exemptions must be posted in a prominent, accessible place in the ship. Ships subject to the Great Lakes Agreement may, in lieu of a posted certificate, certify compliance in the station log required by section 80.409(f).

The Commission's printed publications are described in subpart C of part 0 of this chapter. These publications may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. The Commission does not furnish copies of these publications but will furnish a price list, Information Services and Publications-Bulletin No. 1, upon request. Requests for copies of this list should be directed to the Office of Public Affairs, Public Service Division, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC 20554.

(2) To exchange message traffic destined for a mobile station when the coast station initially concerned is unable to communicate directly with the mobile station;

(3) In the Great Lakes region, to exchange message traffic originated at a mobile station when the use of available point-to-point communication facilities would delay the delivery of such message traffic;

(4) Utilization of radiotelegraphy must not incur additional charges or replace available point-to-point communication facilities;

(5) Only authorized working frequencies within the band 415 kHz to 5000 kHz must be employed for communications between coast stations;

(6) Harmful interference must not be caused to communication between mobile stations and coast stations or between mobile stations.

(a) The frequencies designated in §§ 80.355 and 80.357 may be licensed for use by coast stations employing telegraphy.

(b) [Reserved]

§ 80.459Digital selective calling.

Subpart H of this part lists frequencies assignable for DSC.

§ 80.461Narrow-band direct-printing.

Subpart H of this part lists the frequencies assignable to public coast stations for operations with ship stations. Operating procedures are listed in subpart C of this part.

Use of Telephony§ 80.465Assignment and use of frequencies for telephony.

Subpart H of this part lists the frequencies available for assignment to public coast stations for telephony operations.

§ 80.467Duplication of VHF service.

No duplication of service areas as determined by subpart P of this part will be permitted by public coast stations operating on the same VHF public correspondence channel. Within the service area of a station, the ratio of desired to undesired co-channel signal strengths on public correspondence channels must be at least 12dB.

§ 80.469Maritime mobile repeater stations in Alaska.

(a) Maritime mobile repeater stations are authorized to extend the range of communication between a VHF public coast station located in Alaska and ship stations.

(b) On a secondary basis, maritime mobile repeater stations may be authorized to extend the range of a private coast station:

(1) In an area where VHF common carrier service is not available;

(2) A maritime mobile repeater station license expires 60 days after a public coast station in the area begins service.

(c) Maritime mobile repeater stations may not be authorized in cases where operational fixed frequencies can be employed.

(d) The provisions relating to duplication of service described in subpart P apply to maritime mobile repeater stations.

At 63 FR 68956, Dec. 14, 1998, § 80.469 was amended by revising paragraph (c). This section contains information collection and recordkeeping requirements, and the amendment will not become effective until approval has been given by the Office of Management and Budget.

§ 80.471Discontinuance or impairment of service.

A public coast station must not discontinue or impair service unless authorized to do so by the Commission.

(a) AMTS applicants proposing to serve inland waterways must show how the proposed system will provide continuity of service along more than 60% of each of one or more navigable inland waterways. Inland waterways less than 240 kilometers (150 miles) long must be served in their entirety. AMTS applicants proposing to serve portions of the Atlantic, Pacific or Gulf of Mexico coastline must define a substantial navigational area and show how the proposed system will provide continuity of service for it. A separate Form 503 is not required for each coast station in a system. However, the applicant must provide the technical characteristics for each proposed coast station, including transmitter type, operating frequencies, emissions, transmitter output power, antenna arrangement and location.

(1) Applicants proposing to locate a coast station transmitter within 169 kilometers (105 miles) of a channel 13 television station or within 129 kilometers (80 miles) of a channel 10 television station or with an antenna height greater than 61 meters (200 feet) must submit an engineering study clearly showing the means of avoiding interference with television reception within the grade B contour. See § 80.215(h).

(2) Additionally, applicants required to submit the above specified must give written notice of the filing of such application(s) to the television stations which may be affected. A list of the notified television stations must be submitted with the subject applications.

(b) In lieu of public correspondence service an AMTS system may provide private coast station communications related to the operational requirements of ships including transmissions of fuel, weather, position and supply reports. However, such communications may be provided only to ship stations whose licensees make cooperative arrangements with the AMTS coast station licensees. In emergency and distress situations, services must be provided without prior arrangements.

(a) AMTS coast stations may communicate with fixed platform stations located in the offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico, with ship stations, and with land units in accordance with § 80.123.

(b) AMTS licensees in the offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico may use AMTS coast and ship station frequencies on a secondary basis for fixed service communications to support offshore AMTS operations.

(c) AMTS service may be provided to any vessel within communication service range of an AMTS station even though the vessel may not be operating within the confines of a served waterway.

(a) The frequencies assignable to AMTS stations are listed in subpart H of this part. These frequencies are assignable to ship and public coast stations for voice, facsimile and radioteletypewriter communications.

(a) A private coast station or a marine utility station may be granted only to a person who is:

(1) Regularly engaged in the operation, docking, direction, construction, repair, servicing or management of one or more commercial transport vessels or United States, state or local government vessels; or is

(2) Responsible for the operation, control, maintenance or development of a harbor, port or waterway used by commercial transport vessels; or is

(3) Engaged in furnishing a ship arrival and departure service, and will employ the station only for the purpose of obtaining the information essential to that service; or is

(4) A corporation proposing to furnish a nonprofit radio communication service to its parent corporation, to another subsidiary of the same parent, or to its own subsidiary where the party to be served performs any of the eligibility activities described in this section; or is

(5) A nonprofit corporation or association, organized to furnish a maritime mobile service solely to persons who operate one or more commercial transport vessels; or is

(6) Responsible for the operation of bridges, structures or other installations that area part of, or directly related to, a harbor, port or waterway when the operation of such facilities requires radio communications with vessels for safety or navigation; or is

(7) A person controlling public moorage facilities; or is

(8) A person servicing or supplying vessels other than commercial transport vessels; or is

(b) Each application for station authorization for a private coast station or a marine utility station must be accompanied by a statement indicating eligibility under paragraph (a) of this section.

§ 80.503Cooperative use of facilities.

(a) A person engaged in the operation of one or more commercial transport vessels or government vessels may receive maritime mobile service from a private coast station or a marine utility station on shore even though not the licensee of the private coast station or the marine utility station. Restrictions on cooperative arrangements are as follows:

(1) Foreign persons must be the licensees of the radio stations installed on board their vessels.

(2) The licensee of a private coast station or marine utility station on shore may install ship radio stations on board United States commercial transport vessels of other persons. In each case these persons must enter into a written agreement verifying that the ship station licensee has the sole right of control of the ship stations, that the vessel operators must use the ship stations subject to the orders and instructions of the coast station or marine utility station on shore, and that the ship station licensee will have sufficient control of the ship station to enable it to carry out its responsibilities under the ship station license.

(1) The arrangement must be established on a non-profit, cost-sharing basis by written contract. A copy of the contract must be kept with the station records and made available for inspection by Commission representatives.

(2) Contributions to capital and operating expenses are to be prorated on an equitable basis among all persons who are parties to the cooperative arrangement. Records which reflect the cost of the service and its nonprofit, cost-sharing nature must be maintained by the licensee of the station and made available for inspection by Commission representatives.

(1) With any mobile station in the maritime mobile service for the exchange of safety communications;

(2) With any land station for the purpose of aiding the exchange of safety communications;

(3) With ship stations.

(b) Private coast stations of the same licensee may be authorized to communicate on a secondary basis between themselves if:

(1) The communications are confined exclusively to those for which authority has been granted the coast station, and concerns ships with which one or both of the coast stations are authorized to communicate; and

(2) Other satisfactory point-to-point communication facilities between the coast stations are unavailable; and

(3) Coast stations which communicate with each other are not more than 160 km (100 miles) apart; and

(4) Harmful interference is not cause to mobile stations.

(c) A private coast station and associated marine utility stations serving and located on a shipyard regularly engaged in construction or repair of commercial transport vessels or Government vessels are authorize to communicate between stations when they are licensed to the same entity and communications are limited to serving the needs of ships on a non-interference basis to other stations in the maritime mobile service. A separate showing is required.

§ 80.507Scope of service.

(a) A private coast station or marine utility station using telephony serves the operational and business needs of ships including the transmission of safety communication.

(b) In areas where environmental communications are provided by U.S. Government stations or by public coast stations, private coast stations and marine utility stations on shore must not duplicate that service. In other areas, private coast stations and marine utility stations on shore may transmit weather and hydrographic information required for the ships with which they normally communicate. Private coast stations may provide environmental communication service in areas where adequate service is not available.

(c) Each marine utility station on shore must be operated as a private coast station except that it may be operated at temporary unspecified locations. Marine utility stations on ships are operated as ship stations.

(d) Each private coast station is authorized by rule to use hand-held marine radios in the vicinity of the station's fixed transmitter site on those frequencies assigned to the private coast station. Hand-held communications must conform to those normally permitted under a marine utility station authorization and must be limited to contact with the associated private coast station and ship stations in the vicinity of the private coast station.

(a) Only one port operation, one commercial and one non-commerical frequency will be assigned to a private coast station or marine utility station. Applications for authority to use more than one frequency in any one of the above three categories must include a showing of need as specified below.

(b) An application for an additional frequency by a person who services vessels, must include a description of the vessels with which communication is planned and a statement that the applicant has personal knowledge that the ship radio stations are not capable of operating on working frequencies already assigned to the coast station.

(c) An applicant for an additional frequency based on congestion of the assigned frequency may be asked by the Commission to show that for any four periods of five consecutive days each, in the preceding six months, the assigned frequency was in use at least twenty-five percent of the time during three hours of daily peak activity.

At 63 FR 68956, Dec. 14, 1998, § 80.511 was amended by revising paragraph (c). This section contains information collection and recordkeeping requirements, and the amendment will not become effective until approval has been given by the Office of Management and Budget.

§ 80.513Frequency coordination.

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section each application for a new VHF private coast station license or modification of an existing license to be located in an area having a recognized frequency coordinating committee must be accompanied by:

(1) A report based on a field study, indicating the degree of probable interference to existing stations operating in the same area. The applicant must consider all stations operating on the working frequency or frequencies requested or assigned within 80 km (50 miles) of the proposed station location, and

(2) The report must include a statement that all existing licensees on the frequency within 80 km (50 miles) and the frequency coordinating committee have been notified of the applicant's intention to file an application. The notice of intention to file must provide the licensees concerned and the advisory committee with the following information: The frequency and emission; transmitter location and power; and the antenna height proposed by the applicant.

(b) Applications for modification need not be accompanied by the field study where the modification does not involve any change in frequency(ies), power, emission, antenna height, antenna location or area of operation.

(c)(1) In lieu of the field study, the applicant may acquire a statement from a frequency coordinating committee. The applicant must certify on the application concerning the recommendations of the coordinating committee. The committee must comment on the requested frequency or the proposed changes in the authorized station and give an opinion regarding the probable interference to existing stations. The committee must consider all stations operating on the requested frequency within 80 km (50 miles) of the proposed station location. The frequency coordinating committee statement must also recommend a frequency which will result in the least amount of interference to proposed and existing stations. Committee recommendations may also include comments on technical factors and may recommend restrictions to minimize interference.

(2) A frequency coordinating committee must be representative of all persons who are eligible for VHF private coast stations within the service area of the recognized frequency coordinating committee. A statement of organization, service area and composition of the committee must be submitted to the Commission for approval. The functions of any coordinating committee are purely advisory to the applicant and the Commission. Its recommendations are not binding upon either the applicant or the Commission.

At 63 FR 68956, Dec. 14, 1998, § 80.513 was amended by revising the first sentence of paragraph (c)(1). This section contains information collection and recordkeeping requirements, and the amendment will not become effective until approval has been given by the Office of Management and Budget.

§ 80.514Marine VHF frequency coordinating committee(s).

This section contains the names of organizations that have been recognized by the Commission to serve as marine VHF frequency coordinating committees for their respective areas.

(a) The Southern California Marine Radio Council serves the California counties of Santa Barbara, Kern, San Bernardino, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial and the Channel Islands.

(b) The North Pacific Marine Radio Council serves the following counties in the State of Washington: Clallam, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Mason, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, and Whatcom.

A private coast station or marine utility station using telephony must:

(a) Not be used for public correspondence;

(b) Not be used to transmit program material for radio broadcasting; and

(c) Not be used to transmit press material or news items which are not required to serve the needs of ships.

§ 80.517Time limitation on communication.

All communication engaged in by private coast stations and marine utility stations must be limited to the minimum practicable transmission time. Each station licensee must employ standardized operating practices and procedures.

§ 80.519Station identification.

(a) Stations must identify transmissions by announcing in the English language the station's assigned call sign. In lieu of the identification of the station by voice, the official call sign may be transmitted by tone-modulated telegraphy in international Morse Code manually or by means of an automatic device approved by the Commission. Transmissions on the navigation frequency (156.650 MHz) by stations on drawbridges may be identified by use of the name of the bridge in lieu of the call sign. Identification must be made:

(1) At the beginning and end of each exchange of communications and;

(2) At intervals not exceeding 15 minutes whenever transmissions or communications are sustained for more than 15 minutes.

(b) Marine utility stations, private coast stations, and associated hand-held radios, when exchanging communications, may be identified by a unit identifier in lieu of the call sign. Identification by transmission of the assigned call sign must be at the end of the exchange or at least once every 15 minutes.

An operational fixed station provides control, repeater or relay functions for its associated coast station.

§ 80.557Assignment and use of frequencies.

The specific frequencies for these stations are listed in subpart H of this part.

§ 80.559Licensing limitations.

Operational fixed stations are subject to the following licensing limitations:

(a) A maximum of four frequencies will be assigned.

(b) Stations will not be authorized when applications indicate less than 16 km (10 miles) separation between a proposed station and a TV transmitter operating on either Channel 4 or 5, or from the post office of a community in which either channel is assigned but not in operation.

(c) Stations located between 16 km (10 miles) and 128 km (80 miles) of a TV transmitter operating on either Channel 4 or 5, or from the post office of a community in which either channel is assigned but not in operation, are secondary to TV operations within the Grade B service contour.1

1 OET Bulletin No. 67, March 1988, entitled “Potential Interference from Operational Fixed Stations in the 72-76 MHz Band to Television Channels 4 and 5” describes an analytical model that can be used to calculate the potential interference that might result from a given fixed station operation. Copies of the bulletin may be obtained from the Commission's current duplication contractor. Information concerning the current duplication contractor may be obtained from the Office of Public Affairs, Consumer Assistance and Small Business Division, Telephone (202) 632-7000.

Stations on land in the Maritime Radiodetermination Service provide a radionavigation or radiolocation service for ships.

§ 80.603Assignment and use of frequencies.

The frequencies available for assignment to shore radionavigation/radiolocation stations are contained in subpart H of this part.

§ 80.605U.S. Coast Guard coordination.

(a) Radionavigation coast stations operated to provide information to aid in the movement of any ship are private aids to navigation. Before submitting an application for a radionavigation station, an applicant must obtain written permission from the cognizant Coast Guard District Commander at the area in which the device will be located. The Commission may request an applicant to provide documentation as to this fact. Note: Surveillance radar coast stations do not require U.S. Coast Guard approval.

(b) Applications for certification of coast and ship station transponders must include a description of the technical characteristics of the equipment including the scheme of interrogation and the characteristics of the transponder response. When a certification application in submitted to the Commission a copy of such application must be submitted concurrently to: Commandant (G-TTS-3), U.S. Coast Guard, Washington, DC 20593.

(c) Prior to submitting an application for a non-selectable transponder coast station license in the 2920-3100 MHz or 9320-9500 MHz band the applicant must submit a letter requesting written approval of the proposed station to the cognizant Coast Guard District Commander of the area in which the device will be located. The letter must include:

(1) The necessity for the station;

(2) The latitude and longitude of its position;

(3) The transponder antenna height above sea level;

(4) The antenna azimuth response (angle of directivity);

(5) The manufacturer and model number of the transponder;

(6) The identifying Morse character for transponders used as racons;

(7) The name and address of the person responsible for the operation and maintenance of the station;

(8) The time and date during which it is proposed to operate the station; and

(9) The maximum station e.i.r.p. if it would exceed 5 watts. The Commission may request an applicant to provide a copy of the request and the U.S. Coast Guard approval.

A copy of the request and the U.S. Coast Guard approval must be submitted to the Commission with the station license application.

(d) Prior to submitting an application for a non-selectable transponder ship station license in the 2920-3100 MHz or 9320-9500 MHz band the applicant must submit a letter requesting approval of the proposed station to: Commandant (G-NSR), U.S. Coast Guard, Washington, DC 20593. The letter must include the name, address and telephone number of a person or a point of contact responsible for the operation of the device, the specific need for the station, the name of the associated ship, the area in which the transponder will be used, and the hours of operation. The Commission may request an applicant to provide a copy of the request and the U.S. Coast Guard approval.

At 63 FR 68956, Dec. 14, 1998, § 80.605 was amended by revising paragraphs (a) and (c)(9) and by revising the last sentence of paragraph (d). This section contains information collection and recordkeeping requirements, and the amendments will not become effective until approval has been given by the Office of Management and Budget.

(a) An applicant for a maritime support station must demonstrate a requirement for training personnel associated with the maritime service or for the testing, demonstration or maintenance of ship or coast radio equipment.

(b) [Reserved]

§ 80.653Scope of communications.

(a) Maritime support stations are land stations authorized to operate at permanent locations or temporary unspecified locations.

(b) Maritime support stations are authorized to conduct the following operations:

(1) Training of personnel in maritime telecommunications;

(2) Transmissions necessary for the test and maintenance of maritime radio equipment at repair shops and at temporary unspecified locations;

(3) Transmissions necessary to test the technical performance of the licensee's public coast station(s) radiotelephone receiver(s); and

The authorized frequency tolerance, class of emission, bandwidth, and transmitter power for maritime support stations are contained in subpart E of this part under the category associated with the intended use except for power limitations imposed upon stations operating within the scope of § 80.653(b)(3), which are further limited by the provisions of § 80.215(f).

Subpart O—Alaska Fixed Stations§ 80.701Scope of service.

There are two classes of Alaska Fixed stations. Alaska-public fixed stations are common carriers, open to public correspondence, which operate on the paired duplex channels listed in subpart H of this part. Alaska-private fixed stations may operate on simplex frequencies listed in subpart H of this part to communicate with other Alaska private fixed stations or with ship stations, and on duplex frequencies listed in subpart H of this part when communicating with the Alaska-public fixed stations. Alaska-private fixed stations must not charge for service, although third party traffic may be transmitted. Only Alaska-public fixed stations are authorized to charge for communication services.

§ 80.703Priority of distress and other signals.

Alaska-public fixed stations, when operating on an authorized carrier frequency which is also used by the maritime mobile service, must give priority to distress, urgency or safety signals, or to any communication preceded by one of these signals.

§ 80.705Hours of service of Alaska-public fixed stations.

Each Alaska-public fixed station whose hours of service are not continuous must not suspend operations before having concluded all communications of an emergency nature.

§ 80.707Cooperative use of frequency assignments.

(a) Only one Alaska-public fixed station will be authorized to serve any area whose point-to-point communication needs can be adequately served by a single radio communication facility.

(b) Each radio channel authorized for use by an Alaska-private fixed station is available on a shared basis only. All station licensees must cooperate in the use of their respective frequency assignments to minimize interference.

§ 80.709Frequencies available.

Frequencies assignable to Alaska fixed stations are listed in subpart H of this part.

§ 80.711Use of U.S. Government frequencies.

Alaska-public fixed stations may be authorized to use frequencies assigned to U.S. Government radio stations for communications with Government stations or for coordination of Government activities.

Subpart P—Standards for Computing Public Coast Station VHF Coverage§ 80.751Scope.

This subpart specifies receiver antenna terminal requirements in terms of power, and relates the power available at the receiver antenna terminals to transmitter power and antenna height and gain. It also sets forth the co-channel interference protection that VHF public coast station geographic area licensees must provide to incumbents and to other VHF public coast station geographic area licensees.

[64 FR 26887, May 18, 1999]§ 80.753Signal strength requirements at the service area contour.

(a) The requirements for reception by a marine VHF shipboard receiver are satisfied if the field strength from the coast station, calculated in accordance with § 80.771 is at least +17 dBu above one microvolt.

(b) These field strengths, voltages and powers at the receiver input are equivalent:

(1) −132 dBW (decibels referred to 1 watt).

(2) 1.8 microvolts across 50 ohms.

(3) +17 dBu (decibels referred to 1 microvolt per meter).

(4) 7 microvolts per meter.

§ 80.755Applicability.

Applications for maritime frequencies in the 156-162 MHz band must include a map showing the proposed service area contour. The service area contour must be computed in accordance with the following procedures.

§ 80.757Topographical data.

(a) In the preparation of profile graphs and in determining the location and height above sea level of the antenna site, the elevations or contour intervals must be taken from U.S. Geological Survey topographic quadrangle maps, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maps or Tennessee Valley Authority maps, whichever is the latest, for all areas for which maps are available. If such maps are not published for the area in question, the next best topographic information must be used. The maps used must include the principal area to be served. U.S. Geological Survey topographic quadrangle maps may be obtained from the Eastern Distribution Branch, U.S. Geological Survey, 1200 South Eads Street, Arlington, VA 22202, for maps of areas east of the Mississippi River, including Minnesota, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, and from the Western Distribution Branch, U.S. Geological Survey, Federal Center, Denver CO 80225, for maps of areas west of the Mississippi River, including Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, Guam and American Samoa. Sectional aeronautical charts are available from the Distribution Division, National Ocean Service, Riverdale, MD 20840.

(b) In lieu of maps, the average terrain elevation may be computer generated, using elevations from a 30 second point or better topographic data file such as those available for the U.S. Geological Survey's National Geographic Information Center or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Geophysical Data Center. In case of dispute maps will be used to determine the correct value.

§ 80.759Average terrain elevation.

(a)(1) Draw radials from the antenna site for each 45 degrees of azimuth starting with true north. Any such radial which extends entirely over land from the antenna site to the point of +17 dBu field strength need not be drawn.

(2) If the distance from the antenna site to the point of +17 dBu field strength between any of the 45 degrees radials would be less than the distances calculated along these radials, an additional radial between such adjacent radials must be plotted and calculations made in each case. Each additional radial must be that radial along which it appears by inspection that transmission loss would be greatest.

(b) Draw a circle of 16 km (10 statute mile) radius using the antenna site as the center. Divide each radial into 320 meter (0.2 statute mile) increments inside the circumference to the 3.2 km (2 statute mile) point.

(c) Calculate the height above sea level of each 320 meter (0.2 statute mile) division by interpolating the contour intervals of the map, and record the value.

(d) Average the values by adding them and dividing by the number of readings along each radial.

(e) Calculate the height above average terrain by averaging the values calculated for each radial.

The following graphs must be employed where conversion from one to the other of the indicated types of units is required.

(a) Graph 1. To convert effective radiated power in watts to dBk or to dBW, find the power in watts on the horizontal axis. Move vertically along the line representing the power to the diagonal line. Move horizontally from the diagonal to the right side to read dBW and to the left to read dBk.

(b) Graph 2. To convert microvolts across 50 ohms to received power in dBW, find the signal in microvolts on the horizontal axis. Move vertically to the diagonal line, then move right horizontally to read dBW.

EC02AP91.002EC02AP91.003

(c) Graph 3. To convert received power in dBW to field intensity in dBu find the received power in dBW on the horizontal axis. Move vertically to the diagonal line, then move right horizontally to read dBu.

EC02AP91.004§ 80.763Effective antenna height.

The effective height of the antenna is the vertical distance between the center of the radiating system above the mean sea level and the average terrain elevation.

§ 80.765Effective radiated power.

Effective radiated power is used in computing the service area contour. The effective radiated power is derived from the transmitter output power, loss in the transmission system including duplexers, cavities, circulators, switches and filters, and the gain relative to a half-wave dipole of the antenna system.

§ 80.767Propagation curve.

The propagation graph, § 80.767 Graph 1, must be used in computing the service area contour. The graph provides data for field strengths in dBu for an effective radiated power of 1 kW, over sea water, fresh water or land (smooth earth); transmitting antena heights of 4,800, 3,200, 1,600, 800, 400, 200, and 100 feet; based on a receiving antenna height of 9 meters (30 feet), for the 156-162 MHz band. The use of this is described in this section.

(a) Calculate the effective radiated power of the coast station, Ps in dB referred to 1 kW (dBk), as follows:

EC02AP91.005where,Pt=Transmitter output power in dB referred to 1 kW: Transmitter output power in watts is converted to dBk by Pt=10 [log10 (Power in watts)]−30. Also see § 80.761 Graph 1 for a conversion graph.G=Antenna gain in dB referred to a standard half-wave dipole, in the direction of each plotted radial, andL=Line losses between the transmitter and the antenna, in dB.Notes:

1. To determine field strengths where the distance is known, for effective radiated powers other than 1kW (0 dBk): Enter the graph from the “statute miles” scale at the known distance, read up to intersection with the curve for the antenna height, read left to the “dBu for 1 kW radiated” scale and note the referenced field strength (Fe). The value of the actual field strength (F) in dBu will be F=Fe+Ps where Ps is the effective radiated power calculated above.

2. To determine distance, where the actual field strength is specified, for effective radiated powers other than 0 dBk: The value of the field referenced strength will be Fe=F−Ps in dBu. Enter the graph, from the “dBu for 1 kW radiated” scale at the corrected value of Fe, read right to intersection with the antenna height, read down to “statute miles” scale.

(b) Determine the antenna height. For antenna heights between the heights for which this graph is drawn, use linear interpolation; assume linear height-gain for antennas higher than 4,800 feet.

(c) For receiver antenna heights lower than 9 meters (30 feet), assume that the field strength is the same as at 9 meters (30 feet).

(d) Assume that propagation over fresh water or over land is the same as that over sea water.

EC02AP91.006§ 80.769Shadow loss.

Where the transmission path is obstructed the received signal must be adjusted to include shadow loss. Attenuation due to shadowing must be taken from § 80.769 Graph 1, as follows:

(a) Inspect the map(s) to determine if a hill(s) obstructs an imaginary line of sight (dashed line on illustrative profiles of § 80.769 Graph 1 from the average terrain elevation at the coast station antenna to the water level at the ship location. If average terrain elevation exceeds the actual ground elevation at the antenna site, the latter elevation must be used as the average terrain elevation.

(b) If a hill appears to obstruct the radio path, plot the antenna site elevation, the obstruction elevation and the height of the ship station on rectangular coordinate paper using elevation above mean sea level as the vertical scale and distance in statute miles as the horizontal scale. Then draw a straight line between the antenna and the ship.

(c) If a hill obstructs the imaginary line of sight, determine its height (H) above the imaginary line and its distance (D) from either the coast or ship station, whichever is nearer, as illustrated by examples “A” and “B” on Graph 1.

(d) Read the shadow loss from this Graph 1 and subtract that loss from the computed received signal.

(e) Where more than one hill obstructs the transmission path, determine the height and position of a single equivalent hill, as illustrated by example “C” on this graph. Read the shadow loss from this graph for the equivalent hill.

(b) Determine the effective radiated power according to § 80,765. Determine for each radial the distance from the antenna site to the +17 dBu point of field strength using procedures of §§ 80.765 and 80.767.

(c) Plot on a suitable map each point of +17 dBu field strength for all radials and draw the contour by connecting the adjacent points by a smooth curve.

§ 80.773Co-channel interference protection.

(a) Where a VHF public coast station geographic area licensee shares a frequency with an incumbent VHF public coast station licensee, the ratio of desired to undesired signal strengths must be at least 12 dB within the service area of the station.

(b) Where a VHF public coast station geographic area licensee shares a frequency with an incumbent private land mobile radio licensee, the VHF public coast station geographic area licensee must provide at least 10 dB protection to the PLMR incumbent's predicted 38 dBu signal level contour. The PLMR incumbent's predicted 38 dBu signal level contour is calculated using the F(50, 50) field strength chart for Channels 7-13 in § 73.699 (Fig. 10a) of this chapter, with a 9 dB correction factor for antenna height differential, and is based on the licensee's authorized effective radiated power and antenna height-above-average-terrain.

(c) VHF public coast station geographic area licensees are prohibited from exceeding a field strength of +5 dBu (decibels referenced to 1 microvolt per meter) at their service area boundaries, unless all the affected VHF public coast station geographic area licensees agree to the higher field strength.

The radiotelegraph requirements of Part II of Title III of the Communications Act apply to all passenger ships irrespective of size and cargo ships of 1600 gross tons and upward. The Safety Convention applies to such ships on international voyages. These ships are required to carry a radiotelegraph installation complying with this subpart.

§ 80.802Inspection of station.

(a) Every ship of the United States subject to Part II of Title III of the Communications Act or Chapter IV of the Safety Convention equipped with a radiotelegraph installation must have the required radio equipment inspected by an FCC-licensed technician holding a Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate, or First Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate once every 12 months. If the ship passes the inspection the technician will issue a Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate. Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificates may be obtained from the Commission's National Call Center—(888) 225-5322—or from its Forms contractor.

(1) The effective date of ship safety certificates is the date the station is found to be in compliance or not later than one business day later.

(2) At inspection, the minimum field strength capability of the main installation and reserve installation when connected to the main antenna may be shown by the licensee by one of the following methods:

(i) Producing a record of communications on 500 kHz over a minimum distance of 370 kilometers (200 nautical miles) for the main installation and 185 kilometers (100 nautical miles) for the reserve installation which demonstrates the transmission and reception of clearly perceptible signals from ship to ship by day and under normal conditions and circumstances, or

(ii) Provide documentation by a professional engineer, or a person holding a first or second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate, or a general radiotelephone operator license, that the installation produces at 1.85 kilometers (one nautical mile) a minimum field strength of thirty (30) millivolts per meter for the main installation and ten (10) millivolts per meter for the reserve installation. The licensee shall provide, at a minimum, the name and license number of the individual making the measurements or record of communications.

(b) Certificates issued in accordance with the Safety Convention must be posted in a prominent and accessible place in the ship.

The required radio station must comply with the provisions of this subpart in addition to all other applicable requirements of this part. The radio station consists of a radiotelegraph station and a ship radar station. The radiotelegraph station comprises a main and a reserve radiotelegraph installation, electrically separate and electrically independent of each other except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of § 80.805, a radiotelephone installation and such other equipment as may be necessary for the proper operation of these installations. The ship radar station comprises a radar installation and such other equipment and facilities as may be necessary for its proper operation.

§ 80.805Radio installations.

(a) The main radiotelegraph installation includes a main transmitter, a main receiver, a main power supply, a main antenna system and a 2182 kHz radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver.

(1) In installations on cargo ships of 300 gross tons and upwards but less than 1,600 gross tons, and in installations on cargo ships of 1,600 gross tons and upwards installed prior to November 19, 1952, if the main transmitter complies with all the requirements for the reserve transmitter, the latter may be omitted.

(2) A cargo ship the keel of which was laid prior to June 1, 1954, may either be equipped with a reserve antenna or provided a spare antenna consisting of a single-wire transmitting antenna (including suitable insulators) completely assembled for immediate installation.

(c) The medium frequency radiotelephone installation includes a radiotelephone transmitter, a radiotelephone receiver and an appropriate antenna system.

§ 80.806Requirements of main installation.

All main radiotelegraph installations must meet the following requirements:

(a) The main antenna must be installed and protected to ensure proper operation of the station. Effective October 14, 1986, the main antenna energized by the main transmitter on the frequency 500 kHz must produce at one nautical mile a minimum field strength of thirty (30) millivolts per meter. If the main antenna is suspended between masts or other supports liable to whipping, a safety link must be installed which, under heavy stress, will reduce breakage of the antenna, the halyards, or any other antenna-supporting elements.

(b) The main transmitter must be capable of meeting the requirements of § 80.253.

(c) The main receiver must efficiently receive A1A and A2A emission on all frequencies within the bands 100-200 kHz and 405-535 kHz. It must have headphones capable of effective operation. The main receiver must have sufficient sensitivity to effectively operate headphones or a loudspeaker when the receiver input is 50 microvolts.

(d) The main power supply must simultaneously (1) energize the main transmitter at its required antenna power, and the main receiver, (2) charge at any required rate all batteries forming part of the radiotelegraph station, and (3) charge the main power supply for this purpose at all times including times of inspection. Under this load condition the voltage of the main power supply at the radio room terminals must not deviate from its rated value by more than 10 percent on vessels completed on or after July 1, 1941, nor by more than 15 percent on vessels completed before that date. While at sea, batteries forming part of the main installation must be fully charged daily.

(e) To measure voltage(s) of the main power supply at its radio room terminals, voltmeter(s) must be permanently installed in the radiotelegraph operating room.

(f) The main installation must be provided with a device permitting changeover from transmission to reception and vice versa without manual switching.

(g) The main installation must be capable of being quickly connected with and tuned to the main antenna and the reserve antenna if one is installed.

§ 80.807Requirements of radiotelephone installation.

All radiotelephone installations in radiotelegraph equipped vessels must meet the following conditions.

(a) The radiotelephone transmitter must be capable of transmission of A3E or H3E emission on 2182 kHz and must be capable of transmitting clearly perceptible signals from ship to ship during daytime, under normal conditions over a range of 150 nautical miles when used with an antenna system in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section. The transmitter must:

(1) Have a duty cycle which allows for transmission of the radiotelephone alarm signal described in § 80.221.

(3) Have a visual indication whenever the transmitter is supplying power to the antenna.

(4) Have a two-tone alarm signal generator that meets § 80.221.

(5) The radiotelephone transmitter required by this paragraph may be contained in the same enclosure as the receiver required by paragraph (b) of this section. Additionally, these transmitters may have the capability to transmit J3E emissions.

(b)(1) The radiotelephone receiver must receive A3E and H3E emissions when connected to the antenna system specified in paragraph (c) this section and must be preset to 2182 kHz. The receiver must additionally:

(i) Provide an audio output of 50 milliwatts to a loudspeaker when the RF input is 50 microvolts. The 50 microvolt input signal must be modulated 30 percent at 400 Hertz and provide at least a 6 dB signal-to-noise ratio when measured in the rated audio bandwidth.

(ii) Be equipped with one or more loudspeakers capable of being used to maintain a watch on 2182 kHz at the principal operating position or in the room from which the vessel is normally steered.

(2) The receiver required by § 80.805 may be used instead of this receiver. If the watch is stood at the place from which the ship is normally steered, a radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver must be used for this purpose.

(3) This receiver may be contained in the same enclosure as the transmitter required by paragraph (a) of this section. Additionally, these receivers may have the capability to receive J3E emissions.

(c) The antenna system must be as nondirectional and efficient as is practicable for the transmission and reception of radio ground waves over seawater. The installation and construction of the required antenna must ensure, insofar as is practicable, proper operation in time of emergency. If the required antenna is suspended between masts or other supports subject to whipping, a safety link must be installed which under heavy stress will reduce breakage of the antenna, the halyards, or any other supporting elements.

(d) The radiotelephone installation must be provided with a device for permitting changeover from transmission to reception and vice versa without manual switching.

(e) An artificial antenna must be provided to permit weekly checks, without causing interference, of the automatic device for generating the radiotelephone alarm signal on frequencies other than the radiotelephone distress frequency.

(f) The radiotelephone installation must be located in the radiotelegraph operating room or in the room from which the ship is normally steered.

(g) Demonstration of the radiotelephone installation may be required by Commission representatives to show compliance with applicable regulations.

(h) The radiotelephone installation must be protected from excessive currents and voltages.

(i) The radiotelephone installation must be maintained in an efficient condition.

§ 80.808Requirements of reserve installation.

(a) All reserve radiotelegraph installations must comply with the following conditions, in addition to all other requirements:

(1) The reserve installation must be capable of being placed in operation within a maximum time of 1 minute.

(2) The reserve antenna must be installed and protected to ensure proper operation in time of an emergency.

(3) Effective October 14, 1986, the main antenna energized by the reserve transmitter on 500 kHz must produce at one nautical mile a minimum field strength of ten (10) millivolts per meter.

(4) The reserve transmitter must meet the requirements of § 80.255.

(5) The reserve receiver must receive A1A and A2B emissions on all frequencies within the band 405-535 kHz. It must have headphones. Additionally a loudspeaker may be provided for use in accordance with the provisions of § 80.313. The reserve receiver must be able to operate headphones or a loudspeaker when the receiver RF input is 100 microvolts.

(6) The reserve installation must be capable of being quickly connected with and tuned to the main antenna, and the reserve antenna if one is installed.

(7) Emergency electric lights, energized solely by the reserve power supply and connected to it through individual fuses must be provided. The emergency electric lights must illuminate the operating controls of the main and reserve radiotelegraph installations and the radio station clock. The emergency lighting circuits must avoid excessive voltage to the emergency lights during the charging of any batteries forming part of the reserve installation. The provisions of this paragraph do not preclude the use of any other power supply for energizing these lights solely as an additional provision. If a separate emergency radiotelegraph operating room is provided, the requirements of this paragraph apply to it.

(8) The emergency electric lights must be controlled by two-way switches placed near the main entrance to the radiotelegraph operating room and at the radiotelegraph operating position, in all cases where the distance between these points is greater than 2.4 meters (8 feet). This requirement applies to stations which replace, or initially install the main or reserve radiotelegraph transmitter on and after May 26, 1965.

(9) There must be readily available under normal load conditions a reserve power supply for the reserve installation which must be independent of the propelling power of the ship and of any other electrical system. The reserve power supply must simultaneously energize the reserve transmitter at its required antenna power and the reserve receiver for at least 6 hours continuously under normal working conditions, and energize the automatic-alarm-signal keying device continuously for a period of 1 hour.

(10) The reserve power supply may be used to energize the following apparatus provided it has adequate capacity:

(i) The audible warning apparatus included as a component of an approved radiotelegraph auto alarm;

(ii) The VHF installation required by subpart R of this chapter simultaneously with the reserve transmitter in the case of distress, urgency and safety communications;

(iii) The VHF installation required by subpart R of this chapter alternately with the reserve transmitter. A switching device must be fitted to ensure alternate operation only in the case of distress, urgency and safety communications;

(iv) The radiotelephone alarm signal generator;

(v) The bridge-to-bridge VHF radiotelephone installation required by subpart U of this chapter.

(11) The reserve power supply must be located as near to the reserve transmitter and reserve receiver as is practicable and must comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the United States Coast Guard. The switchboard of the reserve power supply must wherever possible, be situated in the radiotelegraph operating room. If it is not, it must be illuminated.

(12) All reserve power supply circuits must be protected from overloads.

(13) Means must be provided for charging any batteries forming a part of the reserve installation, and such batteries must be maintained in a fully charged condition daily while at sea. There must be a device which, during charging of the batteries, gives a continuous indication of the rate and polarity of the charging current.

(14) The cooling system of each internal combustion engine used as a part of the reserve power supply must be protected to prevent freezing or overheating consistent with the season and route to be traveled by the particular vessel.

(b)(1) The shipowner, operating company, or station licensee, if directed by the Commission or its authorized representative must demonstrate that the reserve installation satisfies the 6-hour operating requirement of law.

(2) When the reserve power supply includes a battery, proof of the ability of such battery to operate continuously and effectively for 6 hours can be established by a discharge test over a prescribed period of time, when supplying power at the voltage required for normal operation to an electrical load as prescribed by paragraph (b)(4) of this section.

(3) When the reserve power supply includes an engine-driven generator, proof of the adequacy of the engine fuel supply to operate the unit continuously and effectively for 6 hours may be established by measuring the fuel consumption during 1 hour when supplying power, at the voltage required for normal operation, to an electrical load as prescribed by paragraph (b)(4) of this section.

(4) To determine the electrical load to be supplied by the reserve power supply, the following formula must be used:

(i) One-half of the reserve transmitter current with the key closed; plus

(ii) One-half of the reserve transmitter current with the key open; plus

(iii) One sixth of the current of the automatic radiotelegraph alarm signal keying device when this device is energized; plus

(iv) Current of the reserve receiver; plus

(v) Current of emergency lights; plus

(vi) Current of the bridge-to-bridge transceiver when connected.

(5) At the conclusion of the tests specified in paragraphs (b) (2) and (3) of this section, no part of the reserve power supply must have an excessive temperature rise, nor must the specific gravity or voltage of the battery be below the 90 percent discharge point.

The conductors connecting the main power supply to the main installation, the reserve supply to reserve installation and the radar power supply to the ship radar station, must be routed to ensure adequate protection from overload, mechanical injury and be kept clear of electrical grounds.

§ 80.810Use of reserve installation.

The reserve transmitter, and the reserve power supply for the reserve transmitter, are primarily for safety and test communication. This equipment may be used for other communication for a period not to exceed 1 hour per day in the aggregate. The reserve receiver, and the reserve power supply for the reserve receiver if a battery, may be used at any time to maintain a safety watch if such use will not reduce the capabilities of the reserve power supply to energize the associated component or components of the reserve installation for at least 6 consecutive hours.

(a) The condition of the reserve installation and of the automatic alarm signal keying device must be determined (with the exception noted in paragraph (b) of this section) prior to the vessel's departure from each port and on each day the vessel is outside of a harbor or port. If the vessel is in two or more ports within one day, the required tests need be made only once. If the vessel is in port for less than one day, the required test for that day may be made before arrival or after departure. The following tests must be made and the results entered in the radiotelegraph station log:

(3) Test the reserve receiver, while energized by the reserve power supply, by actual operation and comparison of received signals with similar signals received by the main receiver;

(4) On days when not used for communication, the reserve transmitter energized by the reserve power supply must be tested by actual operation when connected to the main antenna, an artificial antenna or a reserve antenna.

(5) If installed, the reserve antenna must be used at least once each voyage, noting antenna currents;

(6) Test the automatic-alarm-signal keying device for correct timing adjustment of the keying mechanism. Do not transmit when making this test.

(b) In the case of vessels loading or discharging flammable, unstable or dangerous cargo, or while berthed at oil terminals or in other comparable areas, predeparture transmitter tests need not be made. In such cases, the provisions of paragraph (a)(4) of this section, in connection with predeparture tests, do not apply if a suitable explanation is entered in the radio station log.

§ 80.812Automatic-alarm-signal keying device.

The required radiotelegraph station includes one or more devices, certificated by the Commission in accordance with subpart F of this part capable of automatically operating the normal keying circuits of a required radiotelegraph transmitter to transmit the international radiotelegraph alarm signal.

(a) The automatic radiotelegraph alarm signal keyer must be installed in the radiotelegraph operating room. It must be possible to key, nonsimultaneously, the main transmitter and the reserve transmitter, and to permit the device to be taken out of operation at any time in order to permit immediate manual transmitter operation. Only one control must be provided for each automatic alarm signal keying device. This control must be located in the radiotelegraph operating room.

(b) The required automatic radiotelegraph alarm signal keying device must be capable of operating efficiently for a continuous period of 1 hour when energized solely by the reserve power supply.

§ 80.814Radiotelegraph auto alarm.

An auto alarm which is installed and used on board a cargo ship of the United States pursuant to the provisions of § 80.315 comprises a complete receiving, selecting and warning device certificated by the Commission in accordance with section 3(x) of the Communications Act, capable of being actuated automatically by intercepted radio frequency waves forming the international radiotelegraph alarm signal.

Installation of a radiotelegraph auto alarm must comply with the following conditions.

(a) The auto alarm must be located in the radiotelegraph operating room and be installed and protected to insure proper operation. The radiotelegraph auto alarm system must be operated from the radiotelegraph operating room. A switch must be provided to:

(1) Transfer the main antenna from all other equipment and connect it to the radiotelegraph auto alarm receiver and place the auto alarm in service and, back to the original configuration A voltmeter must be provided for the determining that the supply voltages are within the operating limits.

(2) [Reserved]

(b) The auto alarm must give an audible warning in the radiotelegraph operating room, in the radio officer's cabin, and on the navigating bridge. The alarm must operate continuously after the alarm has been actuated by a radiotelegraph alarm signal or by failure of the system, until manually turned off. Only one switch for stopping the alarm is authorized, and this must be located in the radiotelegraph operating room and be capable of manual operation only. However ships operating under the general exemption of § 80.836(c) may install an additional switch on the bridge for stopping the warning apparatus.

(c) Failure of the auto alarm if of a type approved prior to July 23, 1951, to function normally due to prolonged interference must operate a visual indicator on the bridge. The type and method of installation of such visual indicator must comply with the requirements of the U.S. Coast Guard.

(d) The power supply voltage of an auto alarm must be maintained within definite upper and lower limits. The power supply must have an auxiliary device which:

(1) Will energize the alarm if this power supply fails or its voltage exceeds the limits specified for the particular type of auto alarm involved; or

(2) Will automatically connect the auto alarm to an auxiliary power supply, the voltage of which is within the specified limits.

§ 80.817Tests of radiotelegraph auto alarm.

(a) The radio officer must at least once every 24 hours while the ship is in the open sea:

(1) Test the auto alarm by using the testing device to determine whether the auto alarm will respond to not less than 4 nor more than 12 consecutive dashes having an approximate duration of 4 seconds and an approximate spacing of 1 second.

(2) Determine the proper functioning of the auto alarm receiver while connected to its normal antenna, by actual operation and comparison of received signals with similar signals received on 500 kHz by the main receiver.

(b) If the auto alarm is not in proper operating condition, the radio officer must report that fact to the master or officer on watch on the bridge.

(c) A statement that the tests specified in this section have been made, and the results of such tests, must be inserted in the radiotelegraph station log.

§ 80.818Direction finding and homing equipment.

Each compulsory ship of 1,600 gross tons or over whose keel was laid:

(a) Prior to May 25, 1980, must be equipped with radio direction finding apparatus in operating condition and approved by the Commission during an inspection.

(b) On or after May 25, 1980, must be equipped with radio direction finding apparatus having a homing capability in accordance with § 80.824.

(1) Be capable of receiving signals A1A, A2B and R2B emission, on each frequency within the band 285-515 kHz assigned by the Radio Regulations for distress and direction finding and for maritime radio beacons, and be calibrated to take bearings on such signals from which the true bearing and direction may be determined; and

(2) Possess a sensitivity, sufficient to permit the taking of bearings on a signal having a field strength of 50 microvolts per meter.

(b) The calibration of the direction finder must be verified by check bearings or by a further calibration whenever any changes are made in the physical or electrical characteristics or the position of any antennas, and whenever any changes are made in the position of any deck structures which might affect the accuracy of the direction finder. In addition, the calibration must be verified by check bearings at yearly intervals. A record of the calibrations, and of the check bearings made of their accuracy and the accuracy of the check bearings must be kept on board the ship for a period of not less than 1 year.

An auxiliary receiving antenna must be provided when necessary to avoid unauthorized interruption or reduced efficiency of the required watch because the normal receiving antenna is not available because a radio direction finder on board the vessel is operated.

§ 80.821Installation of direction finder.

(a) The direction finder must be located to minimize interference from noise.

(b) The direction finder antenna system must be erected so that the determination of bearings will not be hindered by the proximity of other antennas, cranes, wire halyards, or large metal objects.

§ 80.822Contingent acceptance of direction finder calibration.

When the required calibration can not be made before departure from a harbor or port for a voyage in the open sea, the direction finder may be tentatively approved on condition that the master certifies in writing that the direction finder will be calibrated by a competent technician.

(a) The required verification by check bearings are made not more than 90 days prior to the date of the annual detailed inspection of the radiotelegraph station;

(b) The verification consists of a comparison of simultaneous visual and radio direction finder bearings. At least one comparison bearing must be taken in each quadrant, within plus or minus 20 degrees from the following bearings relative to the ship's heading: 45 degrees; 135 degrees; 225 degrees; 315 degrees;

(c) The verification shows the visual bearing relative to the ship's heading and the difference between the visual and radio direction finder bearing, and the date each check bearing is taken.

§ 80.824Homing facility requirements.

(a) Direction finding equipment used on compulsory vessels whose keel was laid on or after May 25, 1980, must additionally have a homing facility which is:

(1) Capable of operating with A1A, A2B, H2B and H8E emission on any frequency in the band 2167-2197 kHz;

(2) Capable of taking direction finding bearings on the radiotelephone distress frequency 2182 kHz without ambiguity of sense within an arc of 30 degrees on either side of the bow;

(3) Installed with due regard to CCIR Recommendation 428-2:

(4) Sufficiently sensitive, in the absence of interference, to take bearings on a signal having a field strength of 25 microvolts per meter;

(5) Capable of determining its accuracy by comparison of visual or calculated bearings and homing facility bearings. Comparisons must be made at −30, 0 and +30 degrees relative to the ships heading to show that the correct sense is indicated.

(b) [Reserved]

§ 80.825Radar installation requirements and specifications.

(a) Radar installations on board ships that are required by the Safety Convention or the U.S. Coast Guard to be equipped with radar must comply with either the document referenced in paragraph (a)(1) of this section or the applicable document referenced in paragraphs (a)(2) through (a)(4) of this section. These documents are incorporated by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a). The documents contain specifications, standards and general requirements applicable to shipboard radar equipment and shipboard radar installations. For purposes of this part, the specifications, standards and general requirements stated in these documents are mandatory irrespective of discretionary language. Radar documents are available for inspection at the Commission Headquarters in Washington, DC, or may be obtained from the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (RTCM), P.O. Box 19087, Washington, DC 20036.

(1) Radar installed on ships of 500 gross tons and upwards on or after July 1, 1988, must comply with the provisions of RTCM Paper 133-87/SC 103-33 including Appendix A. Title: “RTCM Recommended Performance Specification for a General Purpose Navigational Radar Set for Oceangoing Ships of 500 Gross Tons and Upwards for New Radar Installations.” Title of Appendix A: “General Purpose Shipborne Navigational Radar Set for Oceangoing Ships Design and Testing Specifications.” Document originally approved by RTCM August 15, 1985 and revised May 15, 1987.

(2) Radar installed on ships of 1,600 gross tons and upwards on or before April 27, 1981, must comply with the provisions of Volume II of RTCM Special Committee No. 65 Final Report; Part II. Title: “Performance Specification for a General Purpose Navigational Radar Set for Oceangoing Ships of 1,600 Tons Gross Tonnage and Upwards for Ships Already Fitted.” Document approved by RTCM July 18, 1978; effective as FCC requirement on April 27, 1981.

(3) Radar installed on ships of 1,600 gross tons and upwards after April 27, 1981 and before July 1, 1988, must comply with the provisions of Volume II of RTCM Special Committee No. 65 Final Report with Change 1 entered; Part I including Appendix A. Title: “Performance Specification for a General Purpose Navigational Radar Set for Oceangoing Vessels of 1,600 Tons Gross Tonnage and Upwards for New Radar Installations.” Title of Appendix A: “General Purpose Shipborne Navigational Radar Set for Oceangoing Ships Design and Testing Specifications.” Document approved by RTCM July 18, 1978; effective as FCC requirement on April 27, 1981.

(4) Ships between 500 and 1,600 gross tons constructed on or after September 1, 1984, with radar installed before July 1, 1988, must comply with Regulation 12, Chapter V of the Safety Convention and with the provisions of Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) [Now International Maritime Organization (IMO)] Resolution A.477(XII). Title: “Performance Standards for Radar Equipment.” Adopted by IMCO November 19, 1981.

(b) For ships of 10,000 gross tons or more and any other ship that is required to be equipped with two radar systems, each of these systems must be capable of operating independently and must comply with the specifications, standards and general requirements established by paragraph (a) of this section. One of the systems must provide a display with an effective diameter of not less than 340 millimeters (13.4 inches) (16-inch cathode ray tube). The other system must provide a display with an effective diameter of not less than 250 millimeters (9.8 inches) (12-inch cathode ray tube).

(c) Recommendations for tools, test equipment, spares and technical manuals are contained in Part IV of Volume III of the RTCM SC-65 Final Report approved by RTCM July 18, 1978.

[52 FR 35247, Sept. 18, 1987]§ 80.826Interior communication systems.

(a) An interior communication system must be provided between the bridge of the ship and the radiotelegraph operating room in all cases where the radiotelegraph operating room does not adjoin or open onto the navigating bridge structure. An interior communication system must also be provided between the bridge and the location of the radio direction finding apparatus whenever the latter is not located on the bridge or within any compartment adjoining or opening onto the navigating bridge structure. If the operating position of the reserve radio installation is not located in the room normally used for operating the main radio installation, an interior communication system must be separately provided between the bridge and each of these radio operating positions.

(b) If a vessel has more than one location from which it is normally controlled and steered, the interior communication system between the radiotelegraph operating room and bridge must include communication to each such location. The existence at a location of all of the following factors will require that a point of communication be established there: (1) A steering wheel; (2) a compass; (3) an engine order telegraph; (4) control of the whistle; and (5) a wheelhouse enclosure.

(c) Paragraph (b) of this section does not apply to locations established solely for emergency use in event of failure of the normal steering facilities or locations used solely while docking or maneuvering a ship while in port or for brief periods while navigating the ship in close quarters on inland waters.

§ 80.827Requirements for interior communication systems.

The interior communication systems required by § 80.826 must provide two-way calling and voice communication, be independent of any other communication system in the ship, and be of a type approved by the United States Coast Guard. The location and termination of individual systems is subject to approval by the Commission.

§ 80.828Radiotelegraph station clock.

A working clock equipped with a sweep seconds hand and having a dial not less than 12.7 cm (5 inches) in diameter, the face of which is marked to indicate the silence periods prescribed for the radiotelegraph service by the International Radio Regulations, must be provided. It must be securely mounted in the radiotelegraph operating room in such a position that the entire dial can be clearly observed by the radio officer from the normal radiotelegraph operating position, from the operating position where the international radiotelegraph alarm signal would ordinarily be transmitted by hand, and from the position used for testing the auto alarm (if installed). If a separate emergency radiotelegraph operating room is provided, the requirements of this section apply to it also.

(a) A survival craft nonportable radiotelegraph installation required by law to be provided in a motor lifeboat must include the following components as a minimum:

(1) A transmitting and receiving antenna and antenna accessories,

(2) An artificial antenna for testing purposes;

(3) A transmitter with keying arrangements for use of radiotelegraphy, an associated radio receiver with headphones, and a suitable device for converting from the power supply battery voltage to the voltages used by the transmitter and receiver;

(4) A power supply;

(5) A device for a ground connection to the water when the lifeboat is afloat.

(b) Components of a survival craft nonportable radiotelegraph installation specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section must be certificated of §§ 80.263 and 80.265.

(c) The radiotelegraph equipment must be installed in a cabin large enough to accommodate both the equipment and the person using it. The operation of the radiotelegraph installation must not be interfered with by the survival craft engine while it is running, whether or not a battery is on charge.

(d) The antenna must be a single wire inverted L type with a horizontal section of the maximum practicable length and a height above the mean waterline of not less than 6 meters (20 feet), and must be so designed that it can be quickly erected and utilized by a person in the lifeboat while afloat.

(e) The ground system must comply with the following requirements:

(1) The radio installation when installed in a metal hull lifeboat must be grounded to the hull of the lifeboat. The ground connection must be physically located in a position where it is inaccessible to the normal movement of occupants or accessories in the lifeboat;

(2) The radio installation when installed in a lifeboat having a nonmetallic hull must be grounded to a bare plate or strips of corrosion resistant metal having a total area of at least 6 square feet and located on the hull of the lifeboat below the waterline.

(f) When the lifeboat is afloat the installation must be capable of developing an antenna current such that the product of the maximum height of the antenna above the mean surface of the water, expressed in meters, and the r.m.s. antenna current on the frequency 500 kHz, expressed in amperes, is not less than 9.6.

(a) The power supply for the survival craft nonportable radiotelegraph installation must consist of a battery capable of operating the survival craft radiotelegraph installation for at least 6 hours continuously under normal working conditions.

(b) The battery may power equipment other than the radiotelegraph installation (except that it must not be used to supply power to any engine starting motor or ignition system) provided such additional use will not adversely affect the required capabilities of the battery. All circuits connected to the battery must be independently fused.

(c) The battery must be kept charged at all times while at sea. The charging of the battery must not require its removal from the survival craft in which it is installed. The necessary charging equipment must not interfere with the launching of the survival craft, and must be easily and quickly removable. The charging circuit for the battery must be routed through the radiotelegraph operating room, and include a device located in the radiotelegraph operating room which will give continuous indication of the polarity and the rate of charge.

(d) Installation must provide for charging of the battery by means of a generator on the survival craft engine.

(e) Subject to approval of the United States Coast Guard, the battery must be mounted in a suitable container that will provide protection from salt water spray and also allow proper ventilation.

§ 80.831Survival craft portable radiotelegraph equipment.

(a) Survival craft portable radiotelegraph equipment required by law to be provided must be certificated by the Commission as capable of meeting the provisions of §§ 80.263 and 80.265.

(b) The equipment must be stowed in the radio room, bridge or a protected location near a lifeboat and be readily accessible for transfer to a lifeboat. However, in tankers of 3,000 gross tons and over in which lifeboats are fitted amidships and aft, this equipment must be kept in a suitable place in the vicinity of those lifeboats which are farthest away from the ship's main transmitter.

(a) Except for emergency position indicating radio beacons and two-way radiotelephone equipment, inspections and tests of survival craft radio equipment must be conducted by the licensee at weekly intervals while the ship is at sea or, if a test or inspection has not been conducted within a week prior to its departure, within 24 hours prior to the ship's departure from a port. The inspection and tests must include operation of the transmitter connected to an artificial antenna and determination of the specific gravity or voltage under normal load of any batteries.

(b) When the ship is in a harbor or port of the United States an authorized representative of the Commission may require:

(1) Inspection and test of the survival craft radio equipment in the survival craft afloat, including an operational test of the transmitter and receiver connected to the required antenna to determine that the equipment is in operating condition;

(2) Demonstration in accordance with § 80.808 that a battery used as a part of the survival craft nonportable radio installation is capable of energizing the installation for the required 6 hours.

(c) The results of the inspections and test must be made known to the master, and be entered in the ship's radio station log, or in the ship's log if the ship is not provided with a radio station.

(b) The equipment must be stowed in the radio room, on the bridge or in a location readily accessible for transfer to life boats when not being used by shipboard personnel to satisfy the vessel's operational requirements.

(c) When not in routine use the survival craft two-way radiotelephone transceivers must be operationally tested once a week. Operational test should be conducted with equipment separated as far as practical and in the case of UHF equipment must include tests on the frequency 457.525 MHz.

(d) All survival craft two-way radiotelephones associated with a ship must operate in the same frequency band (VHF or UHF).

(a) Each ship station must be provided with such spare parts, tools, testing equipment, instruction books and circuit diagrams as will enable the radiotelegraph installation and survival craft station to be maintained in working condition while at sea. Each ship station licensee must compile a list of spare parts, tools, test equipment and circuit diagrams it considers necessary for compliance with this requirement. This list must be available at inspection. Spare parts for the survival craft station must be kept with that station. Other items must be located convenient to the radio room.

(b) The testing equipment must include an instrument or instruments for measuring A.C. volts, D.C. volts and ohms.

(a) General small passenger vessel exemptions, applicable to certain U.S. passenger vessels of less than 100 gross tons, are contained in subpart S of this part.

(b) All newly constructed U.S. cargo vessels of 1600 gross tons and upward are exempt from the radiotelegraph and radio direction finding provisions of Part II of Title III of the Communications Act when navigated on sea trials, not more than 150 nautical miles from the nearest land, if the following conditions are met:

(1) The vessel is equipped with a radiotelephone capable of operation on 2182 kHz and equipped with a radiotelephone alarm signal generator. The vessel may carry an additional portable radiotelephone, located in the wheelhouse, equipped with a radiotelephone alarm signal generator to satisfy the radiotelephone alarm signal generator requirement;

(2) The radio direction-finding apparatus is calibrated during the sea trials;

(3) A continous watch is maintained in 2182 kHz whenever the radiotelephone is not being used for authorized traffic during the sea trials; and

(4) The local FCC Engineer in Charge is advised of the dates and routes of the sea trials.

(c) Prior to February 1, 1999, cargo ships of 1600 gross tons and upward are exempt from the radiotelegraph requirements of Part II of Title III of the Communications Act, if the following criteria are met:

(1) The ship operates on domestic voyages only. For purposes of this paragraph, the term domestic voyages includes ports in Alaska, U.S. possessions in the Caribbean, and along the coasts of the 48 contiguous states, so long as the vessel does not make port at a foreign destination;

(2) The routes of the voyage are never more than 150 nautical miles from the nearest land; and,

(3) The ship complies fully with all of the following conditions. The ship must:

(i) Be equipped with a satellite ship earth station providing both voice and telex, which has been certificated for GMDSS use;

(ii) Be equipped with a VHF and MF radiotelephone installation which complies fully with subpart R of this part and has the additional capability of operating on the HF frequencies listed in § 80.369(b) for distress and safety communications (this capability may be added to the MF radiotelephone installation);

(iii) Be equipped with a narrow-band direct-printing radiotelegraph system with SITOR meeting the requirements of § 80.219;

(iv) Be equipped with at least two VHF transceivers capable of being powered by the reserve power supply (one of the VHF transceivers may be the VHF required by paragraph (c)(3)(ii) of this section);

(v) Be equipped with a Category 1, 406 MHz EPIRB meeting the requirements of § 80.1061;

(vi) Be equipped with a NAVTEX receiver meeting the requirements of § 80.1101(c)(1);

(vii) Be equipped with three two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus and two radar transponders in accordance with § 80.1095;

(viii) In addition to the main power source, be equipped with an emergency power source which complies with all applicable rules and regulations of the U.S. Coast Guard (the satellite earth station, the narrow-band direct-printing equipment and the 500 kHz autoalarm receiver must be capable of being powered by the main and emergency power sources);

(ix) Be equipped with a 500 kHz autoalarm receiver and a means of recording or decoding any distress signal received for relay to the Coast Guard or a public coast station;

(x) Participate in the AMVER system when on voyages of more than twenty-four hours and have the capability of operating on at least four of the AMVER HF duplex channels;

(xi) Carry at least one licensed operator to operate and maintain all the ship's distress and safety radio communications equipment in accordance with §§ 80.159(c) and 80.169; and,

(xii) Maintain a continuous watch on 2182 kHz and 156.8 MHz, in accordance with § 80.305(b), when navigated.

(d) Subject to a determination by the United States Coast Guard pursuant to Public Law No. 104-104, 110 Stat. 56 (1996) at Section 206, each U.S. passenger vessel and each U.S. cargo vessel of 1,600 gross tons and upward is exempt from the radiotelegraph provisions of part II of title III of the Communications Act, provided that the vessel complies fully with the requirements for the Global Maritime Distress & Safety System (GMDSS) contained in subpart W of this part and obtains either a Safety Certificate or endorsement as described in § 80.1067.

Note to paragraph (d): In a letter to the Commission, dated March 13, 1996, the United States Coast Guard noted that it may rely on the Safety Certificate or endorsement described in § 80.1067 as prima facie evidence that the GMDSS has been installed and found to be operating properly. The Coast Guard also stated that it retains the authority for ensuring overall vessel safety and compliance with all applicable domestic and international laws, regulations and treaties.

(e) These exemptions may be terminated at any time without hearing if, in the Commission's discretion, the need for such action arises.

(a) The radiotelephone requirements of Part II of Title III of the Communications Act apply to cargo ships of 300 gross tons and upward but less than 1600 gross tons. The radiotelephone requirements of the Safety Convention apply to passenger ships irrespective of size and cargo ships of 300 gross tons and upward on international voyages. These ships are required to carry a radiotelephone installation complying with this subpart.

(b) Until February 1, 1999, the inspection of all cargo vessels equipped with a radiotelephone installation operated on domestic or international voyages must be conducted by an FCC-licensed technician in accordance with § 80.59 once every 12 months. If the ship passes the inspection the technician will issue a Safety Certificate. Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificates may be obtained from the Commission's National Call Center—(888) 225-5322—or from its forms contractor.

(a) The radiotelephone station is a radiotelephone installation and other equipment necessary for the proper operation of the installation.

(b) The radiotelephone station must be installed to insure safe and effective operation of the equipment and to facilitate repair. Adequate protection must be provided against the effects of vibration, moisture, and temperature.

(c) The radiotelephone station and all necessary controls must be located at the level of the main wheelhouse or at least one deck above the ship's main deck.

(d) The principal operating position of the radiotelephone station must be in the room from which the ship is normally steered while at sea. In installations on cargo ships of 300 gross tons and upwards but less than 500 gross tons on which the keel was laid prior to January 1, 1965, the location of the principal operating controls may be in a room adjoining and opening into the room from which the vessel is normally steered while at sea. If the station can be operated from any location other than the principal operating position, a positive means must be provided at the principal operating position to take full control of the station.

(e) The use of a independent communication system between the principal operating position and all other operating locations is acceptable as a method for taking control at the principal operating position. For stations first placed in service on or after June 1, 1956 the use of this method for taking control at the principal operating position is acceptable only for operating locations in the chartroom or master's quarters.

(a) The transmitter must be capable of transmission of H3E and J3E emission on 2182 kHz, and J3E emission on 2638 kHz and at least two other frequencies within the band 1605 to 3500 kHz available for ship-to-shore or ship-to-ship communication.

(b) The duty cycle of the transmitter must permit transmission of the international radiotelephone alarm signal.

(c) The transmitter must be capable of transmitting clearly perceptible signals from ship to ship during daytime under normal conditions over a range of 150 nautical miles.

(d) The transmitter complies with the range requirement specified in paragraph (c) of this section if:

(1) The transmitter is capable of being matched to actual ship station transmitting antenna meeting the requirements of § 80.863; and

(2) The output power is not less than 60 watts peak envelope power for H3E and J3E emission on the frequency 2182 kHz and for J3E emission on the frequency 2638 kHz into either an artificial antenna consisting of a series network of 10 ohms resistance and 200 picofarads capacitance, or an artificial antenna of 50 ohms nominal impedance. An individual demonstration of the power output capability of the transmitter, with the radiotelephone installation normally installed on board ship, may be required.

(e) The transmitter must provide visual indication whenever the transmitter is supplying power to the antenna.

(f) The transmitter must be protected from excessive currents and voltages.

(g) A durable nameplate must be mounted on the transmitter or made an integral part of it showing clearly the name of the transmitter manufacturer and the type or model of the transmitter.

(h) An artificial antenna must be provided to permit weekly checks of the automatic device for generating the radiotelephone alarm signal on frequencies other than the radiotelephone distress frequency.

§ 80.856Automatic radiotelephone alarm signal generator.

The transmitter must be equipped with an international radiotelephone alarm signal generator certificated by the Commission. See § 80.221.

The controls of the automatic radiotelephone alarm signal generator required by § 80.856 must be located at the principal radiotelephone operating position only. The controls must permit instant use of this device to modulate the required transmitter and permit the device to be taken out of operation at any time so that the transmitter may be immediately voice modulated for transmission of a distress call and message.

§ 80.858Radiotelephone receiver.

(a) The receiver required by § 80.854(a) of this part must be capable of reception of H3E and J3E emissions on the radiotelephone distress frequency. The receiver must be capable of reception of J3E emissions on 2638 kHz and the receiving frequencies associated with the transmitting frequencies authorized pursuant to § 80.855(a).

(b) In addition to the receiver required by paragraph (a) of this section, a radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver meeting the technical standards of § 80.269 must be provided.

(c) One or more loudspeakers capable of being used to maintain the distress frequency (2182 kHz) watch at the principal operating position and at any other place where the listening watch is performed must be provided.

(d) The receiver required by paragraph (a) of the section must:

(1) Have a sensitivity of 50 microvolts;

(2) Be capable of operation when energized by the main source of energy, and by the reserve source of energy if a reserve source is required by § 80.860(a);

(3) Be protected from excessive currents and voltages;

(4) Be provided with a nameplate showing the name of the receiver manufacturer and the type or model.

(e) The sensitivity of a receiver is the strength in microvolts of a signal, modulated 30 percent at 400 cycles per second, required at the receiver input to produce an audio output of 50 milliwatts to the loudspeaker with a signal-to-noise ratio of at least 6 decibels. Evidence of a manufacturer's rating or a demonstration of the sensitivity of a required receiver computed on this basis must be furnished upon request of a Commission representative.

§ 80.859Main power supply.

(a) The main power supply must simultaneously energize the radiotelephone transmitter at its required antenna power and the required receivers. Under this load condition the voltage of the main power supply at the radiotelephone input terminals must not deviate from its rated potential by more than 10 percent on ships completed on or after July 1, 1941, nor by more than 15 percent on ships completed before that date.

(b) Means must be provided for charging any batteries used as a main power supply. A continuous indication of the rate and polarity of the charging current must be provided during charging of the batteries.

§ 80.860Reserve power supply.

(a) When the main power supply is not on the same deck as the main wheelhouse or at least one deck above the vessel's main deck, a reserve power supply must be provided and must be so situated. The location of the reserve power supply must be located as near to the required transmitter and receivers as practicable and meet all applicable rules and regulations of the United States Coast Guard.

(b) The reserve power supply must be independent of the propelling power of the ship and of any other electrical system, and must simultaneously energize the radiotelephone transmitter at its required antenna power, the required receivers, the emergency light and the automatic radiotelephone alarm signal generator. The reserve power supply must be available at all times.

(c) The reserve power supply may be used to energize the bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone and the VHF radiotelephone installation required by § 80.871.

(d) All circuits connected to the reserve power supply must be protected from overloads.

(e) Means must be provided for charging any batteries used as a reserve power supply. A continuous indication of the rate and polarity of the charging current during charging of the batteries must be provided.

(f) The cooling system of each internal combustion engine used as a part of the reserve power supply must be adequately treated to prevent freezing or overheating consistent with the season and route to be traveled by the particular vessel involved.

If the main power supply or the reserve power supply provided for the purpose of complying with §§ 80.859 and 80.860 consists of batteries, the batteries must have sufficient reserve capacity available at all times while the vessel is leaving or attempting to leave a harbor or port for a voyage in the open sea, and while being navigated in the open sea outside of a harbor or port, to permit operation of the radiotelephone transmitter and the required receivers for at least 6 hours continuously under normal working conditions.

§ 80.862Proof of capacity.

(a) When directed by the Commission or its authorized representative, the station licensee must prove that the requirements of § 80.861 are met.

(b) Proof of the ability of a battery used as a main or reserve source to operate continuously for 6 hours can be established by a discharge test over a prescribed period of time, when supplying power at the voltage required for normal and operation to an electrical load as prescribed by paragraph (d) of this section.

(c) When the reserve power supply is an engine-driven generator, proof of the adequacy of the engine fuel supply to operate the unit contiuously for 6 hours can be established by measuring the fuel consumption for 1 hour when supplying power, at the voltage required for normal operation, to an electrical load as prescribed by paragraph (d) of this section.

(d) In determining the electrical load to be supplied, the following formula must be used:

(1) One-half of the current of the required transmitter at its rated power output.

(2) One fourth of the current of the automatic radiotelephone alarm signal generator; plus

(3) Current of receiver; plus

(4) Current of emergency light(s); plus

(5) Current of the bridge-to-bridge transceiver when connected.

(e) At the conclusion of the test specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, no part of the main or reserve power supply must have an excessive temperature rise, nor must the specific gravity or voltage of any battery be below 90 percent discharge point of the fully charged value.

§ 80.863Antenna system.

(a) An antenna system must be installed which is as nondirectional and as efficient as is practicable for the transmission and reception of radio ground waves over seawater. The installation and construction of the required antenna must insure operation in time of emergency.

(b) If the required antenna is suspended between masts or other supports liable to whipping, a safety link which, under heavy stress, will operate to greatly reduce such stress without breakage of the antenna, the halyards, or other antenna-supporting elements, must be installed.

(c) When an electrical ground connection is used as an element of the antenna system, the connection must be efficient.

§ 80.864Emergency electric lights.

(a) Emergency electric light(s) must be installed to illuminate the operating controls of the radiotelephone installation at the principal operating position, the card of instructions, and the radiotelephone station clock if the latter is not self-illuminated.

(b) The emergency electric light(s) must be energized from the reserve power supply, if a reserve power supply is required. In cases where a reserve power supply is not required, the emergency lights must be energized independently of the system which supplies the normal lighting.

§ 80.865Radiotelephone station clock.

A clock having a face of at least 12.7 cm (5 in.) in diameter must be mounted in a position that can be observed from the principal operating position.

[58 FR 44953, Aug. 25, 1993]§ 80.866Spare antenna.

A spare transmitting antenna completely assembled for immediate erection must be provided. If the installed transmitting antenna is suspended between supports, this spare antenna must be a single-wire transmitting antenna of the same length and must also include suitable insulators.

(a) Each ship station must be provided with such tools, testing equipment, instruction books and circuit diagrams to enable the radiotelephone installation to be maintained in efficient working condition while at sea. Each ship station licensee must compile a list of spare parts, tools, test equipment and circuit diagrams it considers necessary for compliance with this requirement. This list must be available at inspection. The Commission may consider equipment manufacturer lists of recommended spare parts, tools, test equipment, and repair circuit diagrams in determining compliance with this subsection. These items must be located convenient to the radio room.

(b) The testing equipment must include an instrument or instruments for measuring A.C. volts, D.C. volts and ohms.

§ 80.868Card of instructions.

A card of instructions giving a clear summary of the radiotelephone distress procedure must be securely mounted and displayed in full view of the principal operating position.

§ 80.869Test of radiotelephone station.

Unless the normal use of the required radiotelephone station demonstrates that the equipment is operating, a test communication on a required or working frequency must be made each day the ship is navigated. When this test is performed by a person other than the master and the equipment is found to be defective the master must be promptly notified.

§ 80.870Survival craft radio equipment.

(a) A Class S survival craft emergency position indicating radiobeacon, (EPIRB) required to be carried to comply with title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations must meet the provisions of § 80.833.

(a) All passenger ships irrespective of size and all cargo ships of 300 gross tons and upwards subject to part II of title III of the Communications Act or to the Safety Convention are required to carry a VHF radiotelephone station complying with this subpart. Ships subject only to the Communications Act may use a VHF radiotelephone installation meeting the technical standards of the Bridge-to-Bridge Act to satisfy the watch requirements of § 80.305(a)(3) if the equipment can transmit and receive on 156.800 MHz.

(b) The VHF radiotelephone station must be installed to insure safe and effective operation of the equipment and facilitate repair. It must be protected against vibration, moisture and temperature.

(c) The principal operating position of the radiotelephone station must be in the room from which the ship is normally steered while at sea.

(d) The radiotelephone stations on ships subject to Part II of Title III of the Communications Act must be capable of operating on the frequency 156.800 MHz and in other respects meet the requirements of § 80.143. The radiotelephone stations on ships subject to the Safety Convention must be capable of operating in the simplex mode on the ship station transmitting frequencies specified in the frequency band 156.025 MHz to 157.425 MHz and in the semiduplex mode on the two f